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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. irrata to pelure. in A t 1 □ 32X It. I !* t 1 >"! OK V '* TJIK *« S ij, ui ilTERS AND MINERS, CD r,' WHEs jrim nnsio.NAiioN vvasi i'lvai' ri that ok K0\ AL ENGINEERS, 'N (fJlOllKll i:-5C. "V)I lu-'i il'^iis:'' - .li^i. *», Of m<«viri^ aixJdmUf . t :' ) M.) Ucia; Of Imlr-lrt^'ttiH'i y<'ft(i^ -^ ju'.MUfl', (iivn'Jv ' 'lir-^rT' \>i ft airpg wliicit *? 'ft«r- ■ '.'t Unrtl'S,*!'. ' •t^ ii.ifit Rt? htm in jpf'^y^ sv^ l;.t^^*)'ll U W\t\3 fhibtVAtii " >7'7rO,V,; /,7»/ ;•/'/'■, i! IN TWO v(»!.i Mi:S,— Vi)| ! isr.7 :r.- i;ni'.|.:rr: 1 '■] - HISTORY OP THE ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS, KKOM rilK FOKMATION OF THE CORPS IN MARCH 1772, TO THE DATE WHEN ITS DtMIONATION WAS CHANGED TO THAT OF ROYAL ENGINEERS, IN OCTOBER me. 1^ ' T. W. J. CONNOLLY, l^'AItTKItMASTKIt OF THE RUVAL KN(i I N KF.IIS. " or most diaoKlrovs chnncre, • or iinvlnn miidcnts, by flixnl ;ini| field ; or liair-hrcniltli M'a|ios V tin; inmilneiit deadly brnnrli." — ShakKjk'nre, " There l8 n eonw wliicli ia urien iiNiiit him, iiiiiiecn and uiiaiispected, mid widiii in lulHjiirinR ■a lunl rur liiiii In i>iiu:e m otliers do in km."— The Timrt. ith StbtnJctit (folonrtb IllushnfJotts. SECOND F.nrTWN, WfTIf COXSTnEKM'.Li: ADDfrroXS' IN TWO VOLUMES.— VOfi. I. LONDON: LONOMAN, BROWN, GRKKN, LOMfiMANS, AND ROHRRTS. 1857. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. TiiE First Edition of the Work has long been out of print, and tiie Second would have been published earlier, only that an expected change in the designation of the corps delayed its appearance. That change having occurred, the volumes are republished, recording the services of the corp-i to the date it continued to bear its old title. Revised in many places, with verbal inaccuracies corrected, aided moreover by journals and official memoranda placed at my disposal to modify or enlarge certain incidents and services, the work is as complete as it would seem to be possible at present tc produce it The concluding Chapters record the services of the corps in the Aland Islands, in Turkey, Bulgaria, Circassia, Wallachia, and the r 'mea. Tlie siege of Seba?' pol and the destruction of the memorable docks have been given with the fulness which the industry and gallantry of the sappers merited; and in order that the many adventures and enterprises recorded in the final years of the history should not fail in interest and accu- racy, Colonel Sandham, the Director of the Royal Engineer Establishment, with the permission of General Sir John Bur- goyne, kindly lent me the assistance of the Engineers' Diary of the Siege, as well as several collateral reports concern- w PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. ing its progrees and tho demolition of the docks. At the same time I think it right to say, that no attempt hns been mode in these pages to offer a history of the Crimean opera- tions. So much only of the details has been worked into the narrative as was necessary to preserve unbroken the thread of sapper services in connexion with particular works and under- takings. It should also be borne in mind, that these volumes arc devoted to the affairs of the Royal Sappers and Miners ; and, consequently, that care has been taken to touch as lightly as practicable on the services of other regiments. Hence the officers of the Royal Engineers have only been named when it was desirable to identify thom with parties of Sappers, whom i)n certain occasions they connnanded. I feel a loyal pride in being able to state that the work has been honoured with the munificent {>atronagc of Her Majesty the Queen, and of His Royal Highness the Prince Albert ; than which nothing could be more acceptable to me, cither as an author or a subject. In closing I beg to express my deep obligations to General Sir John Burgoyne, Rirt., G.C.B., the officers of the corps generally, my personal friends, and the ])ublic, for the ])atronagc with which I have been favoured ; and also to the Tress, for the handsome manner in which it has noticed and commended my labours. Broinpton Barracks, March 1857. DEC 1 0 1928 iniEFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. In 1836, soon after Lieutenant Robert Dashwood, R.E., was appointed Acting Adjutant of the Royal Sajjpers and Miners at Woolwich, he was directetl by Brigade-Major, now Colonel Matson, to prepare a list of officers of the Royal Engineers who had commanded, from time to time, the different companies of the corps. I assisted him in the duty ; but while he was in the midst of his work, he was prematurely cut off by death, and the task of completing the statement devolved on mc. It now forms a referential record at the head-quarter office. Led in its progress to consult old documents and returns, I conceived the idea of making myself acquainted with the whole history of the corps. With this view, after daily fulfilling the routine duty of the office, I spent all my leisure intervals in bringing to light old books and papers, which for years had been buried in disused depositories and stores. Whilst thus engaged, two Acting Adjutants, Lieutenants F. A. Yorke and T. Webb, R.E., were successively appointed to the corps at Woolwich. Both officei-s entered with some spirit into the attempt to trace a history of its services ; ,but before they had proceeded to any great length, were interrupted in their labours by removal to other stations in consecjuence of promotion. /Adjutant Yorke, however, succv .', ^ so far, that he drew up a brief account of the formation of tlie sappers, I'UEFARF, TO 'I'llK FIRST PJDITIOM. commencing with the Gibraltar company in 1772, and detailed its aubscquont augmentations and reductions. This statement also forms a permanent record in the office ; and Captain Webb made fair progress with an outline account of its active services. To both officers it was my good fortune to affi^rd such aid as they required, in the collection of information for their respective effortSb In 18.<, when medals were granted to the veterans of the last war, Brigade-Major, now Colonel Sandham, observed the readiness with which I spoke of historical events in which the corps was concerned, and of the services of particular indi- viduals who had belonged to it He also saw the facility witli which I supplied the information required to establish the claims of the several applicants for medals and clasps. This induced him, after some little conversation on the subject, to direct me to prepare for publication a history of the corps. Much ^^fragmentary matter I had already accumulated, for twelve years had been consumed [by me in wading through books and documents in quest of dates and occurrences. Nevertheless, it was not without serious misgivings that I set myself officially to the task, and the researches and labours embodied in the following pages are the result In the intervals of important and onerous public duty, the materials for the memoir have been collected and the work methodized and written. Necessarily severe was the applica- tion required under such circumstances ; but by steady perse- verance, even at times when my health was scarcely able to bear up against the exertion it needed, I have succeeded, without omitting any service that I know of, in completing the history to the siege of Sebastopol. The work certainly is one of no pretension, and on this score may be regarded as having cost but little toil in its preparation ; I'llKPACK TO THK FII18T KDITION. vii hilt I may observe, that from tlic absence of mniiy particular records, the unaccountable neglect in furnishing' others, and the striking ini|)erfcctions in many of the remaining itupcrs, arising from complexity, vagueness, obliteration, or decay, more than ordinary difficulty, research, and trouble were ex- |)erienced, in gathering the materials essential :• ive anything like a reasonable delineation of the events nanMlud in the Memoir. Paucity of detail in numbers, wan: ot description with reference to particular occurrences, and ga|*o in niany years from the loss of muster-r«)lls and official docuniei;t^, run through a period of nearly half a century, from 1772 to 1815: and strange oa it may appear, even the casual ties in action so carefully reported in other corps, have, from some iiioxplicable cause, either been omitted c-Uogether in the war despatches or given inaccurately. In later years, however, the connexion between the officers of the Royal Engineers and the soldiers of the Royal Sappers and Miners has been so fully established, that attention to these important minutis forms a decided feature in the improved command of the corps. In employments of a purely civil character in which the Royal Sappers and Miners have shared, care has been taken to explain, as fully as the records and collateral evidence would admit, the nature of its duties ; and, likewise, to multiply authorities to prove the estimation in which it was held for its services and conduct This has been mainly done, to offer a practical reply to an association, incorporated within the last twelve years, which, in the course of a futile agitation, endea- voured by injuriou? statements to lessen the corps in public esteem. All mention of the Royal Engineers in this memoir has been studiously suppressed, except when such was unavoidable to give identity to the different duties and services of the Royal vni PREFACE TO THE FIUST EDITION. Sappers and Miners, and also, when tlieir direct and particular connexion with the corj)s in certain situations, rendered allusion to them justifiable. This course was suggested to me by an officer of high rank, for the obvious reason that, as the Royal Engineers is a body entirely distinct from the Sappers and Miners, and possesses its own annals, any reference to, or par- ticularization of, its services in a work professedly confined to the corps, would not only be extraneous, but tend to lessen its value, and weaken its interest with those for whose information it was especially written. Here, however, it should be observed, that the Royal Sap- pers and Miners, though a separate and integral body of itself, is nevertheless, and has been from the commencement, officered by the Royal Engineei's ; and whatever excellence or advance- ment is traced in its career and public usefulness, whether as soldiers or mechanics, is fairly, in a great degree, attributable to the officers ; for, in every circumstance of service and situa- tion, they have liberally opened up for them new channels of emjjloyment to engage their faculties and energies, and have afforded them at all times scope and facilities to develop their mental and physical resources, and to fit them to perform with credit, not only the circumscribed duties of soldiers, but the more extended requirements of sappers, artizans, and profes- sional men. By the omission of all but special reference to the officers, room has thus been given for mentioning many non-commis- sioned officers and j)rivates, who have attracted public attention and gained encomium for their meritorious services ; some for their skill and ingenuity ; oth(!rs for their integrity and devo- tion ; and others for their acquirements, their vigorous exertions and labours ; their ardour, their endurance, and their valour. While the recognition of such examples cannot fail to incite PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. te others to emulate the military virtues of their more distin- guished predecessors and comrades, it is earnestly hoped, that every member of the corps will be led to feel a personal interest in its reputation and honour, and a pride in its discipline and loyalty ; its usefulness and efficiency in peace ; its heroism and achievements in war. The drawings were executed on stone by George B. Campion, Esq., master of landscape drawing at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In illustrations like those in the present volumes, it was scarcely possible to delineate with exactness th" complicated ornament which make up the emembk of a soldier's uniform. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, the costume has been well defined, and much interest given to the embellishments, by the introduction of accessories, characteristic of the duties and employments of the corps. My respectful acknowledgments are due to Sir John Bur- goyne, the Inspector-General of Fortifications, for making the subject of my exertions known in a circular from his own hand, to the officers of the Royal Engineers ; and in offering him the expression of my gratitude, I think it right with a feeling of sincere thankfulness to mention, that the success which has attended that kind appeal, has been more, perhaps, than I could reasonably expect Several of the officers have afforded me much encouragement in the work, y well by suggestion and advice, as by the liberality of their contributions; but, wanting the liberty to publish their names, 1 am precluded from making a record, to which it would have been nay pride to give publicity. To my own corps I am also indebted for many pleasing proofs of concern, as evinced in thoir anxiety to s^ee the under- taking prosper. Nearly 200 copies have been demanded by the non-commissioned officers, including a few of the privates, VOL. I. b X PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. and when the price of the work is considered, the generosity of my patrons is as strikinp as noble. To S. W. Fulloni, Esq., I here offer the expression of my grateful thanks for his amiable and disinterested counsel, cheer- fully accorded on the many occasions I had to seek it ; and for kindly assisting me in looking over the sheets as the work passed through the press. I now submit the volumes to my corps and the profession, and am not without hope that they may also be acceptable to a portion of the public. As far as the sources of my informa- tion and research have extended, the memoir will be found truthful and impartial. It was my aim to execute it with an integrity that would place me beyond impeachment : I therefore feel some confidence tliat indulgence will be shown for its defects, and also for whatever errors, through inadvertency, may have crept into the work. THOMAS CONNOLLY. Km/al Sappers and Minern' Barracka, Woolmch, March ISoS. ncrosity of ion of my iscl, cheer- t ; and for the work profession, leptable to ly informa- 1 be found ! it with an I therefore wn for its advertency, TOLLY. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 1772—1779. PAOE Orij,;& of Corps — Its establishment and pay — Engineers to command it —Its designation— Working pay — Recruiting — Dismissal of civil artifi- cers— Names of officers — Non-commissioned officers — First augmenta- tion— Consequent promotions — Names of other officers joined— King's Bastion — Second augmentation ....... 1779—1782. Jealousy of Spain — Declares -var with England — Strength of the garrison at Gibraltar — Preparations for defence and employment of the company — Siege commenced — Privations of the garrison — Grand sortie and con- duct of the company — Its subsequent exertions — Origin of the subter- ranean galleries — Their extraordinary prosecution — Princess Anne's battery — Third augmentation — Names of non-commissioned officers . 1782—1783. Siege continued — Magnitude of the works — Chevaux-de-frise from Land- port — Glacis across the inundation— Precis of other works— Firing red- hot shot — Damage done to the works of the garrison, and exertions of the company in restoring them — Grand attack, and burning of the battering flotilla — Reluctance of the enemy to quit the contest — Kilns for heatingshot — Orange bastion — Subterranean galleries— Discovery of the enemy mining under the Rock — Ulterior dependence of the enemy — Peace — Conduct of the company during the siege — Casualties . 10 2!) 1783. Due de Crillon's compliments respecting the works — Subterranean gal- leries— Their supposed inefficiency— Henry Ince— Quickness of sight of two boys of the company — Employment of the boys during the siege- Thomas Richmond and .lohn Brand — Models constructed by them . 29 b 2 xli CONTENTS. 1783. PAfiE State of the fortress— Execution of the works depended upon the company — Casualties filled up by transfers from the line — Composition — Re- cruiting—Relieved from all duties, garrison and regimental — Anniver- sary of the destruction of the Spanish battering flotilla • . .39 1786—1787. Company divided into two — Numerous discharges — Cause of the men be- coming so soon ineffective — Fourth augmentation — Labourers — Recroit- ing, reinforcements — Dismissal of foreign artificers — Wreck of brig • Mercury ' — Uniform dress — Working ditto — Names of officers— Privi- leges— Cave under the signal-house 43 1779—1788. Colonel Debhieg's proposal for organizing a corps of artificers — Rejected — Employment of artillerymen on the works at home — Duke of Rich- mond's " Extensive plans of fortification" — Formation of corps ordered — Singular silence of the House of Commons on the subject — Mr. Sheri- dan calls attention to it — Insertion of corps for first time in the Mutiny Bill — Debate upon it in both Plouses of Parliament . . . .53 1787—1788. Constitution of corps — Master artificers— Officers— Rank and post of the corps — Captains of companies ; stations — Allowance to captains ; adju- tants— Recruiting — Labourers — " Richmond's whims " — Progress of recruiting — Articles of agreement— Co; ps not to do garrison duty — Sergeant-Majors — John Drew — Alexander Spence — Uniform dress — Working dress — Hearts o' pipe-clay — " The Queen's bounty " — Arms, &c. — Distinction of ranks — Jews' wish 64 1789—1792. Appointment of Quartermaster and Colonel-Commandant— Distribution of corps. Captains of companies — Jealousy and ill-feeling of the civil artificers— Riot at Plymouth — Its casualties — Recruits wrecked ou passage to Gibraltar — Song, " Bay of Biscay, O !"— Defence of t! , Tower of London against the Jacobins — Bagshot-heath encampment Alterations in the uniform and working dress 72 1793. War with France — Artificers demanded for foreign service— Consequent effects— Detachment to West Indies — Fever at Antigua— Detachment to Flanders— Siege of Valenciennes— Waterdown Camp— Reinforce- ment to Flanders— Siege of Dunkirk — Nieuport— Another reinforce- ment to Flanders— Toulon— Private Samuel Myers at Fort Mulgrave — Formation of four companies for service abroad— Establishment and strength of corps g] i CONTENTS. xiu PAOE company ion — Re- Anniver- I men bc- -Recruit- of brig s— Privi- -Rejected of Rich- )s ordered ilr. Sheri- e Mutiny 39 43 53 )ost of the ins ; adju- rogress of on duty — n dress — "—Arms, listribution f the civil recked ou ice of t! ^ tmpment — I;onBequent >etachment -Reinforce- reinforce- lulgrave — hment and 64 72 1794—1795. PAoe Working dress —Company sails for West IndieB — Martinique — Spirited conduct of detachment there — Guadaloupe — Mortality — Toulon — Flanders — Reinforcement to company there — Return of the company — Works at Gravesend — Irregularities in the corps — Causes — Redeeming qualities — Appointment of Regimental Adjutant and Sergeant-major — Consequences — Woolwich becomes the head-quarters — Alteration in working dress .......... 90 1795—1796. Companies to St. Domingo and the Caribbee Islands — Reduction of St. Lucia— Conduct of company there — Gallantry in forming lors, and casualties in the operation — A mild Irish- man— Bravery of corporal Creighton and private Lomas — South Beve- land — Reinforcement to the Netherlands — Review by the Emperor of Russia — School for companies at Antwerp — Detachments in the Nether- lands, company at Tournai — Movements of the company in Italy and Sicily — Expedition to Tuscany ; party to Corfu — Canada ; distribution of company there, and it;i active services — Reinforcement to Canada- Washington, Baltimore, New Orleans — Notice of corporal Scrafield — Expedition to the State of Maine 209 1815. siege of Fort Boyer — Alertness of company on passage to New Orleans — Return of the sappers from North America — Services and movemsnts of companies in Canada — Also in Nova Scotia — Captures of Martinique and Guadaloupe— Services and movements of companies in Italy — Maltese sappers disbanded — Pay of Sub-Lieutenants — Ypres — Increase to sappers' force in Holland; its duties and detachments; notice of sergeant Purcell— Renewal of the war— Strength of the corps sent to CONTENTS. xvii the Netherlands — Pontoneers — Battle of Waterloo — Disastrous situation of a company in retreating — General order about the alarm and the stragglers — Sergeant-major Hilton at Hrussels — Notice of lance-corporal Donnelly — Exertions of another company in pressing to the field — Organization of the engineer establishment in France — Pontoon train — Magnitude of the engineer establishment; hired drivers; Flemish seamen — Assault of Peronne, valour of SuMieutenant Stratton and lance-corporal Councill — Pontoon bridges on the Seine — Conduct of corps during the campaign — Corporal Coombs with the Prussian army — Usefulness of the sappers in attending to the horses, &c., of the department in France — Domiciliary visit to Montmartre . . . 225 1816—1818. Movements in France — Return of six companies from thence to England — Strength of those remaining, and detachments from them— St. Helena — Return of company from Italy— Disbandment of the war company of Maltese sappers — Battle of Algiers — Conduct of corps at Valenciennes — Instances in which the want of arms was felt during the war — Arming the corps attributable to accidental circumstances — Training and instruction of the corps in France — Its misconduct — But remarkable efficiency at drill — Municipal thanks to companies at Valenciennes — Dress — Bugles adopted — Reduction in the corps — Sub-lieutenants disbanded — Withdrawal of companies from certain stations — Relief of company at Barbadoes — Repairing damages at St. Lucia; conduct of the old West India company — Corfu — Inspection of corps in France — Epaulettes introduced — Sordid conduct of four men in refusing to wear them — Murder of private Milne, and consequent punishment of corps iu France by the Duke of Wellington — Return of the sappers from France 241 I 1819—1824. Reduction in the corps — Distribution — Sergeant Thomas Brown, the modeller — Reinforcement to the Cape, and services of the detachment during the Kaffir war — Epidemic at Bermuda— Damages at Antigua occasioned by a hurricane — Visit to Chatham of the Duke of Clarence — Withdrawal of a detachment from Corfu — A private becomes a peer — Draft to Bermuda — Second visit to Chatham of the Duke of Clarence — Fever at Barbadoes — Death of Napoleon, and withdrawal of company from St. Helena — Notice of private John Bennett — Movements of the company in Canada — Trigonometrical operations under the Board of Longitude— Feversliam— Relief of the "'d Gibraltar company — Breast- plates— St. Nicholas' Island — Conditio., -^f company at Barbadoes when inspected by the Engineer Commission — Scattered state of the detach- ment at the Cape — Services of the detachment at Curfu — Intelligence and usefulness of sergeant Hall and corporal Lawson — Special services of corporal John Smith — Pontoon trials — Shecrness — Notice of corporal Shorter — Forage-caps and swords 253 CON'l'KNTS. 1«25— 1820. r Dress— Curtailment of benefits by the change— Chacos — Survey of Ireland — Formation of the first company for tlic duty — Establishment of corps; company to Corfu — Second company for the survey — KtTorts to complete the companies raisi^d for it — ^Pontoon trials in presence of the Duke of Wellington — Western Africa — Third company for the survey; addi- tional working pay — Kniployments and strength of the sappers in Ireland— Drnnmiond Light; Slieve Snacht and Divis — Endurance of private Alexander Smith — Wreck of 'Shipley' transport — Berbice; corporal Sirrell at Antigua ........ 2«!3 1827—1829. Augmentation — Reinforcement to Bermuda — Ompanics for Ridean Canal -Keinforcement to the Ciipc — Monument to the memory of General Wolfe — Increase to the survey companies— Supernumerary promotions — Measurement of Lough Koyle base — Suggestion of sergeant Sim for measuring acroas the river Roe — Si rvey companies inspected by Major- General Sir James C. Smith ; opinion of their services by Sir Henry Hardingc — Sergeant-major Townscnd — Demolition of the Glaciere Bastion at Quebec — Banquet to fifth company by Ixird Dalhousie — Service of the sappers at the citadel of Quebec — Notice of sergeants Dunnett and John Smith— Works to be executed by contract — Trial of pontoons, and exertions of corporal James Forbes — Epidemic at Gibraltar— Island of Ascension ; corporal Btal — Forage-caps — Company withdrawn from Nova Scotia — Party to Sandhurst College, and useful- ness of corporal Forbes ......... 271 1830—1832. '1 he chaco — Brigade-Major Rice Jones — Island of Ascension — Notice of corporal Beal — Detachment to the Tower of London — Chatham during the Reform agitation — Staff appointments — Sergeant M'Laren the first medallist in the corps- Terrific hurricane at Barbadoes ; distinguished conduct of colour-sergeant Harris and corporal Muir — Subaqueous destruction of the 'Arethusa' at Barbadoes — Return of a detachment to the Tower of London — Rideau canal; services of the sappers in its construction ; casualties ; ami disbandment of the companies — Costume — First detachment to the Mauritius — Notice of corporal Heed — Pen- dennis Castle 281 1833—1836. Inspection at Chatham by Lord Hill— Pontoon experiments — Withdrawal of companies from the ports — Reduction of the corps, and reorganization (if the companies — Recall of companies from abroad — Purflcet — Trigo- nometrical survey of west coast of England— Dratt to the Cape — Review at Chatham by Lord Hill— Motto to the corps— Reinforcement to the CONTENTS. m )f Ireland of corps ; complete Duke of y: addi- ippcrs in u ranee of Uerbice ; 263 3au Canal ' General romotions t Sim for by Major- iir Henry Glaciure illiousie — sergeants let— Trial idemic at -Company nd useful- 271 -Notice of tm during a the first linguished ibaqueous chment to ers in its -Costume icd — Pcn- 281 ithdrawal ^anization 't — Trigo- — Review !nt to the PAGE Mauritius — Inspection at Woolwich by Sir Frederick Mulcaster — Mortality from cholera ; services uf corporals Hopkins and Kitchley — Kntertaiunient to the detachment at the Mauritius by Sir William Nicolay — Triangulation of the west coast of Scotland — Kaffir war- Appointments of ten foremen of works— Death of Quartermaster Gallo- way—Succeeded by sergeant-major Hilton^Sergeant Forbes— Notice of his father — Lieutenant Dashwood — Euphrates expedition — Labours of the party— Sergeant Sim — Generosity of Colonel Chesncy, R.A. — Additional smiths to the expedition — Loss of the * Tigris ' steamer — Descent of the Euphrates — Sappers with the expedition employed as engineers — 'Corporal Greenhill — Approbation of the services of the party— Triangulation of west coast of Scotland — Addiscombe — Expedi- tion to Spain — Character of the detachment that accompanied it — Passages ; action in front of San Sebastian — Ueinforccmeut to Spain — Final trial of pontoons — Mission to Constantinople • • . . 289 1837. Change in the dress — Increase of non-commissioned officers — Services of the detachment at Ametza Gana— Oriamendi — Desierto convent on the Nervion — Fuentarabia — Oyarzun — Aindoin — Miscellaneous employment of the detachment — Trigonometrical survey west coast of Scotland — Inspection at Woolwich by Lord Hill and Sir Hussey Vivian — Staff appointments — Labours of sergeant Lanyon — Staff-sergeants' accoutre- ments— Expedition to New Holland— Corporal Coles selected as the man Friday of his chief— Exploration from High Bluff Point to Hanover Uay ; difficulties and trials of the trip ; great thirst — Exertions and critical situation of Coles — His courageous bearing— Touching instance of devotion to his chief — Employments of the party — Explora- tion into the interior with Coles and private Mustard — Hardships in its prosecution — Threatened attack of the natives; return to the camp . 305 183». Services of party in New Holland — Start for the interior — Labours of the expedition; corporal Auger — Captain Grey and corporal Coles expect an attack — Attitude of private Auger at the camp against the menace of the natives — Captain Grey and Coles attacked ; their critical situation : the chief wounded; devotion of Coles — Usefulness of Auger — Uenew the march ; Aiiger finds a singular ford— Discovers a cave with a sculp- tured face in it — Mustard traces the spoor of a (luadruped still unseen in New Holland — A sleep in the trees — Trials of the party — Primitive washing — Augi - the van of the adventurers — Humane attention of the Captain to Mustard ; reach Hanover Uay ; arrive at the Mauritius- Detachment in Spain — Attack on Orio — Usurvil; Oyarzun — Miscel- laneous employments of the party — Keinforcement to it ; Casa Aquirre — Orio — Secret mission to Muftagorri- Second visit to the same chief- Notice of corporal John Down — Bidasisoa — Triangulation of north of XX i:<)NTKNTS. Scotland— AIko of the Frith of the Clyde— Insurrection in Canada; guard of honour to I,ord Durham— ('ompany inapected by the Governor- Oeneral on the plains of Ahmhani— Inspection at Niagara by Sir George Arthur— SorvicfH and movfini'nts of the company iu ("anada; attack at Hoauharnois — Submarine di'molition of wrecks near (Jravesend — V)x- pedient to prevent accident* by vessels fouling the diving-bell lighter — (Conduct of the sappers in the operations; exertions of sergeunt-major Jones — Fatal accident to a diver — Intrepidity of sergeants Koss and Young — Klasting the bow of the brig ' William,' by sergeant-major Jouea — Withdrawal of the sapperii fVoni the canal at Hythe . . 3IS 1839. Expege, aban- soldier- lity, there- le garrison letter to full credit " depend :, and on ficer com- :he King's d an addi- drumnier, iced again is." With the sea-line, in that part, torm, which, lue, he pro- the General \TB, lest they h notions of there for its witzers that . He, how- id in urging le means for f glory, niy the enemy, iking would ad the best lot reduced. 1776.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. this increase the company consisted of IIG non-commissioned officers and men. Steadily the works advanced ; soon the King's Bastion '" was finished, and the fortress was now in such a state of defence as greatly to alleviate the apprehension, which, a few years Iwfore, caused General Boyd so much anxiety. Though not exactly all that could be desired to oppose the onslaught of a determined and daring adversary, it was yet csipable of a long and obstinate resistance ; and, from the political phases of the period, it did not seem at all unlikely that its strength would soon be tried, and the prowess and fortitude of the garrison tested. '" At this bastion the company worked, by express orders, from gun-fire in the morning to gun-flre in the evening, as also on Sundays. All the work was of cut stone, and skilfully executed. A model of it, ex(|uisitely wrought in polished stone, is in the Rotunda at Woolwich. It formerly belonged to George III. In 1820, George IV. presented it to the Royal Military Reposi- tory. lu lIlSTOliY OK TUK [1770. 177U— 1782. .Ii'iildiisy (if Spain— Duclarcs war with Knplaiul— Strt'jif^tli of tlic (pirrisoii at Gibraltar — l'rc|iaratii)ti8 for (k'l'i'iice and employ iiu'iit of tliu company- Sic(;i' commenecMl - Privations of the garrison — (Jranil sortie and eonduet of the I'omimny — Its siihseciuent exertions — Origin of the subterranean galli.ries — Their extraordinary prosecution — Princess Anne's battery — Third angnient- utioi) — Names of uou-cunimissioued otiieers. GlnUALTAli, ever since its capture by the English in 1704, luul been a source of much jealousy and mioasiness to Spain, and her desire to restore it to her dominions was manifested in the frecpient attempts she made witli that view. Invariably .she was reiwlled by the indomitable bravery of the garrison ; 1)iit a slave to her jjurposc, she did not desist from her efforts, and in the absence of any real occasion for disagreement with Kngland, scrupled not to create one, in order that she might attack, and if possible, regain the fortrcs.s. A favourable opportunity for the purpose at length arrived. Soon i''t't( r the convention of Saratoga in 1777, the Americans entered nito an alliance with France, which was the cause of a rnpti.-e between the latter nation and (Jreat Britain. Hos- tilities had been carried on for six months, when Spain insinu- ated herself into the dispute under pacific pretensions. Her proposals, however, were of such a nature as rendered it imjms- sible for the British Government to accept them without lessen- ing the national honour ; and being rejected, the refusal was made the pretext for war. It was accordingly declared by Spain on the 16th June, and her eager attention was at once turned to Gibraltar. On the 21st of the same month she took the first step of a hostile nature, by closing the comumnication between Spain and the fortress. 1 1770. I779.J KOYAL HAPPEIiH ANM) MINHltS. II At this time the jjtirrison consisted of mi imriy of 5,382 oHiecrs and men nndtn* (ionenil lOliott. Lient.-Ocnijrul Boyd was second in command. Of this force tlie enifineers and artificers amounted to the followiny mnubers under (Jolonei Ureen : — OtRccrs 8 t^iTgeanta f> DniimntTg i liunk uiid Fill' .... lOO ■ Total . . . \U2 No particular demonstration on the part of the Spaniards innnediately followed tht; closing of the connniinici'.tion ; but (lencral Kliott, anticipating an early attack upon the Kock, made arrangements to meet it. All was activity and prepara- tion within the fortress ; and the engineers with the artificers were constantly occupied in strengthening the defences. For better accomplishing this paramount service, the company was divided into three portions on the 23rd August, and directed to instruct the line workmen in the duties required of them. To prevent misunderstanding with regard to the line non-commis- sioned officers — who might under certain circumstances become litigious — the C!liief Engineer issued orders to the effect, that all such soldiers coming into the king's works, were to take directions from the non-commissioned officers of tlie company in the execution of their professional duty.' On the 12th September, General Eliott commenced opera- tions by opening a fire on the enemy, which was so unexpected, that the latter were surprised and dispersed. On recovering from the panic, they scarcely ventured, or indeed cared, to reta- liate ; for their object obviously was, not to subject themselves to a costly expenditure of ammunition, shot, &c., but to distress the garrison by famine, and thereby obtain an easy surrender. In this, however, they were disiippointed ; for the enduring ' The compiiiiy wanted two privates to complete. " As foreseen by the Chief Engineer, disputes soon arose between the non- eon)-nissioned olficers of the company and the line, with regard to superintend- ence and direction. The fact having come to the Hrigadier's knowledge, he renewed, on the 10th July, 1781, his former order in a more imiHirative tone. 12 HISTORY OF THE [17fll, hardihood of the garrison, and the occasional arrival of relief, frustrated their object, and compelled the Spaniards to have recourse to the more expensive and diHicult method of besieging the place.'' At this period the privations of the soldiere in the fortress were of so severe a nature, that many of them were constrained to seek expedients from unusual resources to supply their wants ; and in this way, thistles, dandelion, and other wild herbs, the produce of a barren rock, were used to satisfy their cravings. The following enumeration of some of the necessaries of life, with ineir prices affixed, will afford an idea of the extent of the scarcity : — Mutton or beef . Salt beef or pork Biscuit crumbs . s. d. s. 2 6 to 3 1 0 to I 0 10 to 1 Milk and water 1 Eggs 0 A smaU cabbage .... 1 Asmallbunchof outward leaves 0 6 per lb. sometimes liighcr. 3 per lb. 0 per lb. 3 a pint. 6 each. 6 6 Thus curtailed in their provisions, the wonder is, that the men were at all capable of supporting life, and keeping their opponents in check. But notwithstanding this embarrassing privation, !.' eir energy and courage were by no means weakened, nor their spirit and ardour depressed. In November, 1781, the Spaniards were very zealous in com- pleting their defences ; so much so that towards the latter part of the month their batteries presented an ajjpearance at once stupendous and formidable. This proud bulwark naturally arrested the Governor's attention, and as naturally engendered the determination to ..^sault and destroy it. On the 26th November, he desired a selection to be made from the troops for this purpose. To each of the right and centre columns a detachment of the company — in all twelve non-commissioned officers as overseers, and forty privates — was attached, under ^ The strength of the company, including officers, wlien the provision sup- plies arrived, under Admiral liodney, in February, 1780, and again under Admiral Darby, in April, 1781, was, on both occasions, stated to be 124. See ' An authentic and accurate Journal of the late Siege of Gibraltar,' pp. 22, 170. [1781. 1781.J ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 13 Lieutena.its Skinner and Johnson of the Engineers ; and 160 working men from the line were directed to assist them. To the left column a hundred sailors were told off to do the duty of pioneers. The soldier-artificers were supplied with hammers, axes, crow-biirs, fire-f^ggots, and other burning materials. Upon the setting of the moon at three o'clock on the morning of the 27th November the sortie was made. The moment Titut.-Colonel Hugo, who had charge '^f the right column, took possession of the parallelj Lieutenant Johnson with the artificers and pioneers commenced with great promptitude and dexterity to dismantle the works. Similar daring efforts suc- ceeded the rush of Lieutenant Skinner's artificers and workmen into the St. Carlo's Battery with the column of Lie :it. -Colonel Dachenhausen ; but the number of the soldier-artificers attached to the sortie, whose ardour and labours were everywhere ap- parent, being both inconsiderable and insufficiei-t to effect the demolition with the expedition required, the Governor sent back to the garrison for the remainder of the company to come and assist in the operation.* Hurrying to the spot to share in the struggle, they were soon distributed through the batteries : and the efficiency of their exertions was sensibly seen, in the rapidity with which the works were razed and in flames. Only one of the company was wounded.' General Eliott in his despatch on this sortie, observes, " The pioneers," meaning artificers, " and artillerists, made wonderful exertions, and s])read C 'v fire with such amazii.g rapidity, that in half an hour, two mortar batteries of ten 13-inch mortars, and three batteries of six guns each, with all the lines of approach, communication, traverses, &c. were in flames and reduced to ashes. Their mortars and cannon were spiked, and Captain Luttrell, in some remarks in the House of Commons in 1788, relative to the expediency of raising a corps of military artificers, stated, " that at Gibraltar, where a similar body had been kept up during the siege, they hud been of infinite serv'ice. When our troops had, in a sortie, possessed themselves of some of the enemy's works, they could not destroy them until they had sent back to the gai'rison for ttie corps of artificers, who soon demo- lished them." — Gent. Mag. 58, part 2, 1788. ' London Ganette, 12,25(i. 2,') to 29 December, 1781. 14 HISTORY OF THE [1782. their beds, carriages, and platforms destroyed. Tiieir maga- zines blew up one after another, as the fire approached them." « Shortly after the sortie the repairs to the defences at the north front and other works of the fortress, found full employ- ment for the company. Jjcisure could not be permitted, and the necessary intervals of rest were frequently ii'terrupted by demands for their assistance, particularly i)< cais ming the batteries at Willis's.' Sickness also set ii ; :oi;t ? time; neai'ly 700 of the garrison were in hospital; the tvotii ng ;)arties were curtailed ; and officers' servants and others, unused to hard labour and unskilled in the usf, of tools, were sent to the works to lessen the fatigue to 'fhi>:h their le.-s-favoured comrades were constantly subjected. Much extra duty and exertion were thus necessarily thrown upon the comj)any, and though frequently exposed to imminent danger, they worked, both by night and day, with cheerfulness and zeal. In the sickness that prevailed, they did not share so much as might be supposed from the laborious nature of their duties, sixteen only l)(>ing returned sick, leaving eighty-one available for the service of the works. Oil a fine day in May 1782, the Governor, attended by the Chief Engineer and staff, made an inspection of the batteries " I the north front. Great havoc had been made in some of x\., )r by the enemy's fire; and for the i)resent they were aband . ' whilst the artificers were restoring them. M»»ditating for a i'.'; moments over the ruins, he siiid al flanking fire upon the enemy's works." A pause followed '' CK. •tnig exclamation, when sergeant-major Ince of the conq)ai._,, who was in attendance upon the Chief Engineer, stepped forward and suggested the idea of forming galleries in the rock to effect " Loudon Gazette, \2,2M. 25 to 29 December, 1781. " To nairaie the difi'ercnt services performed by the company dri : the siege, would not only be tedious, but necessarily incomplete, from ,■■ 'i /'' i record of them beiug preserved. A reference, however, to ' DruiKv, ;,'. 'i History,' though particularizatiou is not even there attempted, will aiicii a tolerable idea of their labouiH. [1782. 1782.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. IS the desired object. The General at once saw the propriety of the scher-", and directed it to be carried into execution." Upon orders being issued by the Cliief Engineer, twelve good miners of the company were selected for this novel and difficult service, and sergeant-major Ince was nominated to take the executive direction of the work. On the 25th of May, he com- menced to mine a gallery from a plac« above Farringdon's Battery (\Villis'), to comumnicate, through the rock, to the notch or projection in the scarp under the Royal Battery. The gallery was to be six feel, high and six feet wide. The success- ful pri'.gress of this preliminary work was followed by a desire to extend the excavation from the cave at the liead of the King's lines, to the cave at the end of the Queen's linos, of tiie same dimensions as the former gallery. A body of well- instructed miners was expressly appointed for the duty," and on " Whetlier the sergeant-major obvainett the i'lousand dollars a:: i douceur from the General u a .>.i at 'libraltar, dated 4th August, 1784, this tradition is an extravagai't exaggeration. His Grace observes, " I am told tlat the excavation of the galleries is now constructed for, all expanses included, at one rial per foot ci.Iie ;" and he adds, " I am very glad to find that a work which promises to add such effectual defences to the place, can be carried on at so cheap a rate ; aiid I make no doubt, that great improvements will still be made by the Governor in this system of defences and lodgment for stores and troojj^ under the rock." ° The (;hief Engineer's orders for the performance of this service were as lullows; — " 22nd May, 1782. A gallery 6 feet high, nndfj feet wide, through the rock, leading towards the notch Tiearly under the Itoyal liattery, to com- municate with a proposed battery to be established at the said notch, is inmiediately to be undertaken ...ui commenced upon by 12 miners, under the executive direction of sergeant-major Ince." Again: " !Jth July, 1782. A gallery of commuuicatiou, G feet G inches high, and (i feet w idc, through the intermediate rock, between the cave at the head of the King's lines, and the cave near the west end of the Queen's lines, is forthwith to be commenced upon by a body of m.ners and labourers ex))ressly appointed for that service." — See also ' Drinkwater's Siege,' Murray's edit., 1840, pp 112 and 11". 16 HISTORY OF THE [1782. the 6th July, they began this new subterranean passage. On the 15th, the first " embrasure was opened in the face of the rock communicating with the gallery above Farringdon's." To effect this, " the mine was loaded with an unusual quantity of powder, and the explosion was so amazingly loud, that almost whole of the enemy's camp turned out at the report : but it," adds the chronicler, " must their surprise have been, when they observed whence the smoke issued !" '" The gallery was now widened to admit of the placement of a gun with sufficient room for its recoil, and when finished, a 24-pounder was mounted in it." Before the ensuing September, five heavy guns were placed in the gallery ; and in little more than twelve months from the day it was commenced, it was pushed to the notch, where a battery, as originally proposed, was afterwards established and distinguished, on account of its extensive capacity, by the name of " St. George's Hall." '* At Princess Anne's Battery (Willis'), on the 11th June, a shell from the enemy fell through one of the magazines, and, bursting, the powder instantly ignitet and blew up. The whole rock shook with the violence of the explosion, which, tearing up the magazine, threw its massive fragments to an almost incredible distance into the sea. Throe merlons on the west flank of the battery, with several men who had run behind them for shelter, were blown into the Prince's lines beneath, which, with the Queen's lower down the rock, were almost filled with the rubbish ejected from the upper Imttery, es also with men dreadfully scorched and mangled. The loss among the workmen was very '° ' Driiikwater's Siege,' Murray's edit., 184C, p. 118. " Driiikwator observes, page 118, that "the original intention of tliis opening was to communicate air to tlie workmen, who, before, were almost suffocated with the smoke which remained after blowing the different mines j but on examining the aperture more closely, an idea was conceived of mount- ing a gun to bear on all the enemy's batteries, excepting Fort Harbava." To ascribe it to this accidental circumstance is natural enough, but there is reason to suppose, the statement excusably differs from the fact. The galleries were bi'guu with the express object of arming them with ordnance to play on the enemy's works ; and the formation of the embrasure alluded to, was simply the earnest of a settled scheme ; the first hostile step in its development. '» ' Drinkwiiter's Siege," Murray's edit., 184C, note, p. 118, 1782.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 17 severe. Fourteen were killed and fifteen wounded.''' Private George Brown, a mason of the company, was amongst the former. In July the company could only muster ninety-two men of all ranks, including the wounded and sick, having lost twenty- two men during the siege by death, six of whom had been killed. This was the more unfortunate, as the siege was daily assuming a more serious aspect, the enemy collecting in greater force, and the eftect of the cannonade upon the defences more telling and ruinous. Naturally the Governor's attention was called to the deficiency ; and as his chief dependence rested ujion the soldier-artificers for the execution and direction of the more important works, he was not only anxious for their com- pletion to the authorized establishment, but convinced of the desirableness of augmenting them. In this view he was the more confirmed, by the representations of Major-General Green, the chief engineer, and Lieutenant-General Boyd. As soon, therefore, as an opportunity offered, he urgently requested the Duke of Richmond, then Master-General of the Ordnance, to fill up the company with mechanics from England, and also to make a liberal increase to its establishment. His Grace ac- cordingly submitted the recommendation to His Majesty, and a Warrant, dated 31st August, 1782, was ioiued ordering the company to be increased with 118 men. Its establishment now amounted to — I Sergeant-major. 10 Sergeants. 10 Corporals. 209 Working-men. 4 Drummers. Total 234 To carry otic the wishes of General Eliott, the Duke of Richmond employed parties in England and Scotland to enlist the required number, which for the most part consisted of car- I)enters, sawyers, and smiths. With great spirit and success the recruiting was conducted; and in less tlian a month 141 " ' Drinkvrater's Siege,' Murray's edit., 1840, p. 11.1. VOL. t. G 18 HISTORY OF THE [1782. mechanics — more than enougli to meet both the deficiency and the authorized increase — were embarked for the Rock on board the transports which accompanied the relieving fleet under Lord Hood. Twenty landed on the 15th October ; a similar number next day, and the remaining 101 on the 2l8t. By this increase the carpenters were G6 in number, the sawyers 31, and the smiths 57. The masons at this time were 30 strong. The non-commissioned oflicers,'^ as they stood immediately after this augmentation, were jvs follows : — tScrr/canUmajor — Henry Ince. Sergeants : — David Young, carpenter. Edward Macdonald." Robert Blyth," nuison. " It is not intended to give the names of the non-commissioned officers entire at any future period. In this instance they have been mentioned, not so much for the interest of th<> general reader, as to preserve them. With those whose names havo already been noted, these constitute the first race of non-commissioned officers in the corps. " By the Chief Engineer's Order of 27th October, 1781, sergeant Macdonald, an active and good non-commissioned officer, was appointed to inspect and take care of all the drains throughout the fo.^ress in the room of sergeant-major Bridges, as also to keep the keys of the gratings, and to see them locked, to prevent ingress or egress by their means. This duty was considered a very important one, both from the facility the drains afforded for the entrance of the enemy and for desertions from the place, and also from the health of the garrison being in a great measure affected by their state. Not unfrequently during heavy rains, the gravel on the rock, washed down by the torrent, would rush into the drains and choke them up. To clear them, the company of artificers was invariably called upon, often at night ; and on one occasion, in April, 1813, private William Liddle, who was foremost in one of the great drains, after unlocking the grating, was carried down the sewer with the flood into the sea, and drowned. " Blyth served fifteen years in the 2nd Foot, and joined the company 14th June, 1773. He was promoted to be sergeant on the 18th April, 1781, in succession to sergeant Brown who died at Fez, and whose widow became the Sultana of Morocco. By his industry and frugality he amassed consider- able property, and expended about 20,000 dollars in buildings at the fortress. He was well known as a zealous freemason, and erected a wine-house at the corner of the Eleventh, since called South Parade, in which the meetings or lodges of the fraternity were held free of expense. He was much respected by the inhabitants, and became very popular among them. On the 31st January, 18(10, he was discharged from the corps, after a service of nearly forty-two 1782.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. Sergeants — continued, Alexander Grigor. James Smith, smith. ThoDiU8 Jackson, smith. 19 years, and died at tlie Rock about 1804. Blyth had a nepliew in the Tripoline navy, of whom a few particulars may not be uninteresting. His name was Peter Lisle. When quite a youth, Peter was wrecked at Zoara, on the coast of Tripoli. He was one of three only who escaped. For a time he endured great hardships, but at length succeeded in getting on board a Ilritish mer- chflntman. In 179i2 he was at Gibraltar, on board the ' Enibden ' letter of marque, Lynch and Koss, owners. This vessel afterwards went to Tripoli with two consuls on board; and Lisle, then chief mate, was placed in charge of the cargo, some of which was corn. On arriving at Tripoli, the barrels containing the corn were found to have been plundered, and Lisle was called upon to account for the deficiency. This he could not do ; a quarrel ensued between the captain and himself, and resigning his situation, he landed, and entered the service of the Hashow. Having been chief mate of an English vessel was a strong recommendation in his favour, and he was at once appointed gunner of the castle. Associated with a strange people, he readily conformed to their manners and customs, embraced Mahommedan tenets — at least in appearance — and assumed the name of Mourad Reis. About 1794 he was nominated captain of a xebeck mounting eighteen guns ; and in the course of time, by his naval skill and abilities, became the High Admiral of the Tripoline Fleet and Minister of Marine. He married one of the daughters of the Bashaw, Sidi Yusuf, had a fine family, and enjoyed an ample income. Resides a house in the city, he had a villa and gardens in the Meshiah among the date-groves, which exhibited evidence of great taste and care, and were enriched with many trees of various species brought by him from different places at which he touched in Europe. He was a prudent and sagacious coim- sellor, gave excellent advice to the Bashaw, which was always based on good common sense— a quality not superabundant in the Civan — and was of great service to Lord Exmouth during his Algerine expedition. His appearance was venerable, he dressed richly, commanded much respect, and when addressing British officers — whom he always treated with great courtesy and hospitality — spoke with a broad Scotch accent, and sometimes entertained them with a relation of his own stirr.ng adventures. He was unpopular at times, as great politicians sometimes are. Blaquiere says (1813), " Poor Peter was no longer an object of consideration with any party." During the stay of Captain Lyon at Tripoli in 1818, Peter was in banishment, but the consul and chief people gave him an excellent character. Later, however, he again rose into confidence, for when Captain Beechey was there in 1821, Mourad Reis was much considered by his Highness, and acted as interpreter on the occasion of the Captain's audience with his Highness the Bashaw. He also proved of great service to Captain W. H. Smyth, R.N. On the fall of the Bashaw — Yusuf Karamanli — he retreated to Sfax in Tunis, since which his fate is uncertain. When in the zenith of his power and greatness he paid occasional visits to Gibraltar. On entering the bay, he always fired a salute of four guns in honour of his uncle, Serjeant Blyth, whom he treated with marked respect. C2 80 HISTORY OF THE Serijeants — continued. Robert Brand, mason, Robert Daniel. Joseph Makin, mason, Thomas Finch," carpenter. Corporals : — Robert Newell, mason. Hugh Sirrige, carpenter. Joseph Chambers,'" masim, James Carey, carpenter. Joseph Woodhcad,'" »i«s'/». [1782. This practice, however, he at length discontinued, owing to a shot, fired by mistake from one of his guns, having struck the wall of a rump just above Hargrave's Parade whilst he was paying his relative the usual affectionate compliment. " Finch joined the company on the 21st October, 1782, at the request of the Duke of Richmond, in whose service he had been employed at Goodwood. Anxious to secure him for the company, his Grace promised not only to make him a sergeant at once, but to give him a written protection to preserve to him as long as he remained, irrespective of his conduct, the pay of that rank. Under these circumstances Finch accepted the protective credential, enlisted, and sailed with Lord Hood for the Rock. Holding such a charter, it was not to be wondered at if he sometimes overstepped the line of prudence. Not by any means particular in his appearance, nor scrupulous in his conduct or habits, he was not unfrequently brought before his officers ; but no matter how flagrant his offence, the only punishment that could be awarded to him was suspension for a month or two from rank, but not from pay. Captain Evelegh, of the engi- neers, finding that Finch was becoming rather troublesome, and his sentences of bu' little effect, endeavoured to obtain the Duke's warrant from its possessor, but he refused to surrender it, observing to the captain, " If you get hold of it, good-bye to my rank and pay." Finch, however, was a first-rate carpenter and foreman, and these qualifications more than counterbalanced his occasional delinquencies. He was discharged from the corps on the 13th April, 18(J2. " Chambers joined the company 21st September, 1772, from the 2nd Regi- ment of Foot, in which he had served two years. In 1791 he was promoted to be sergeant-major, on the discharge of Ince. lu the summer of 1796 he was sent to Woolwich in a deranged state of mind, and on the 1st December of that year was discharged. Soon afterwards he was domiciled in a madhouse, where, his malady increasing, he was — it has been reported— smothered ac- cording to the cruel practice then in vogue with regard to incurable cases. " Woodhead joined the company 16th May, 1774, from the 12th Regiment, in which he had served seven years and a quarter. In November, 1 791, he was promoted to be sergeant, and was discharged I7th July, 1807, on a pension of ■2s. yd. a-day, after a service of upwards of forty years. At Gibraltar he was found to be invaluable in the construction and repairs of the sea-line wall. He possessed a good share of intelligence ; was a strong, portly, blustering mason, and well adapted for the heavy and lalmrious duties for which he was 1782.] IIOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 21 Corporals — continued, John Morrison, mason. Jolin Harrison, masun. John Fraser, carpenter. Thomas Harrenden, carpenter, Antonio Francia,*" mason. And the officers were, in addition to those mentioned at pp. 4 and 5, Lieutenants William M'Kerras, John Johnston, and Lewis Hay. always selected. At Woolwich he was the military foreman of masons for many years, and was intrusted by Captain Hayter, then Commanding Royal Engineer, with the building of the wharf wall in the Royal Arsenal — a work highly creditable to the Engineer Department, and to Woodhead as the execu- tive overseer. '" Afterwards anglicised to Anthony Francis, was wounded by a shell at Willis's. He and his brother Dominick were natives of Portugal, and the only foreigners in the company. Antonio was a Catholic ; and as it was de- sired to preserve the Protestant character of the corps, a simple but effectual plan was taken to win his adherence to the Church of England. He asked leavi! to be married. The indulgence was refused unless he became a Pro- testaht, La Fiancee was also a Catholic ; but as a great event in their lives — which promised them no end of happiness — was likely to be indefinitely post- ponefi by a stubborn acquiescence to a creed for which, probably, they felt but little interest, both renounced the belief of their fathers, and were married as members of the national faith. Their family were baptized and educated as Protestants, but the old man on his de^xth-bed, returned to Mother-Church and died a Catholic. Three of his sons, now old men, fill comfortable appoint- ments at Gibraltar. Their cousins, merchants at the Rock, own the pltin called the " Spanish Race-course," above a mile beyond the Lines. One, Mr. Francis Francia, is British Consul at Sau Roque. Midway between the village of Campo and the consulate stands his farm, which is cultivated with en- lightened taste, and enriched with rare exotics in fruits and flowers. — Kclaart's Uotany and Topography of Gibraltar and its neighbourhood, pp. 179, 183. 22 HISTORY OF TUB [1782. 17«2— 1783. Siege continued — Magnitude of the works— Chevaux-de-frise from Landport Glacis across the inundation — Precis of other works — Firing red-hot shot — Damage done to the works of the garrison, and exertions of the company in restoring them — Grand attack, and bnruing of the battering flotilla — Heluc- tance of the enemy to quit the contest — Kilns for heating shot — Orange Bastion — Subterranean galleries — Discovery of the enemy mining under the Rock — Ulterior dependence of the enemy — Peace — Conduct of ' ' }mpany during the siege — Casualties. In August the siege daily wore a more significant appearance, and the enemy was diligent in concentrating his resources — unlimited both in means and materials — to make an ex- traordinary attack upon the fortress. To cope with these preparations General Eliott was no less alert. All was ardour and cheerfulness within the garrison, and every one waited impatiently for an opportunity to end the strife, which had held thousands close prisoners to their posts for more than three years. At this time the defensive works were very extensive, and many important alterations had yet to be made in several of the batteries, to afford more effectual cover to the artillery. The workmen consequently were greatly increased. Daily, nearly 2,000 men of the line were handed over to the engineers for the service of the fortifications; and the soldier-artificers were employed in their greatest force — two only being in hospital — to instruct and oversee them. In the more difficult works requiring experience, and the exercise of skill and ability, the company always laboured themselves. In the most vulnerable part of the fortress, from the foot of Landport Glacis adjoining Waterport, to the sloping palisades 782. 1782.] HOYAL SAri'EUS AND MINEKS. on the causeway across the inundation, the (jreater part of the carpenters of the company were occupied in fixing a chevaux- (le-frise. They completed tiie work without the least inter- ference from the enemy — a surprising instance of his inattention or forbearance. \Vhile the chevaux-de-frise was in course of erection, covered ways were being constructed at thp different lines on the north front, large and lofty traverses were raised along the line wall, the flank of the Princess Anne's Battery was rebuilt, the sub- terranean passages were pushed forward with vigour, and a covered way from the Grand Parade to the Orange Bastion was completed. Green's Lodge and the Royal Battery were also caissoned with ship-timber, and considerable alterations were made at Willis's. Indeed nothing was omitted to render the fortress capable of sustaining any attack to which it might be subjected from the enemy's immense and well-armed batteries. These works and many others of a similar nature were in progress when the firing of red-hot shot from the north front, under General Boyd's directions, commenced upon the enemy's batteries. The effect of this destructive expedient was astound- ing, and the demolition of the enemy's lines in great part soon followed. Panic-stricken or confused, the besiegers returned but a tardy fire, and the injury sustained by it was of little moment. The bold attack of the garrison, however, aroused the Spaniards, who, quickly repairing their works, opened, on the next day, a warm and powerful fire upon the Rock from 170 guns of large calibre. Nine line-of-battle ships also poured in their broadsides, in which they were assisted by fifteen gun ai i' mortar boats. Considerable injury was thus done to the north front, as also to the Montague and Orange Bastions ; the obstructions at Landport were likewise in great measure demolished, and many other works were partially razed. The engineers with the artificers and workmen were unremitting in their exertions, both during the night and in the day-time, to restore the defences where their importance, from their exposed 84 IIIHTORY OF THE [1782. situation, rendered iraincdiato reparation desirable. At Land- port, notwithstanding tlio siiarp firing of the enemy, the carpenters of the company were constantly detached to repair the fresh-recurring breaches, which, Drinkwatcr states, " were kept in a better state than might have been expected." This attack and retaliation, however, were as yet only pre- liminary to the greater one which was to follow. The interval was filled up by discharges of cannon, averaging 4,000 rounds in the twenty-four hours. On the 12th September the com- bined fleets of France and Spain arrived l)efore the Rock with ten floating batteries, bearing 212 guns; while their land batteries, strong and terrible, mounted 200 heavy guns, and were protected by an army of 40,000 men. In their several stations the battering flotilla wer moored, and the fleet anchored in less than ten minutes, xiie first ship having cast her anchors, that moment the garrison artillery began to throw its burning missiles. A tremendous rejoinder from the enemy succeeded. Upwards of 400 pieces of the heaviest artillery were disgorginfl; their dreadful contents at the same instant. Oi these the garrison only employed 96. For hours the balance of the contest was equal, the battering ships seemed invulnerable ; but, at length, the red-hot shot gave evidence of their efficacy in the sheets of resistless flame that burst in all directions from the flotilla. By the 14th the whole of the floating batteries were burnt : their magazines blew up one after another ; and it was a miracle, that the loss of the enemy by drowning did not exceed the numbers saved by the merciful efforts of the garrison. Notwithstanding this appalling reverse the enemy were still reluctant to quit the contest. Many proofs they had had of the unconquerable spirit of the besieged even whilst suffering from pinching privation, and warring against such overwhelm- ing odds ; but they still clung to the hope of compelling the surrender of their invincible adversjiries, though their repeated defeats should have taught them a far different lesson. This obstinacy, of course, necessarily caused other and more effectual preparations to be made in the fortress, to meet and 1782.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 2(5 withstand any future attacks. Red-liot shot was considered to Ik; the grand specific. To supply it in sufficient (juantities, the company of artificers ercctiMl kihis in various parts of tlie garrison. Each kiln was capable of heating 100 shots in little more than an hour. By this means, as l>inkwatcr writes, " the artificers were enabled to supply the artillery with a con- sttint succession for the ordnance." The struggle continued for some time much less terrific than has just been stated. From 1,000 to 2,000 rounds, however, were poured into the garrison in the twenty four hours, and were followed up with more or less briskness for a few months, according to the varying caprice of the assailai s, During this cannonade, the artificers under the engineer^ were constantly engaged in the diversified works of the fortress, and they began to rebuild the whole flank of the Orange Bastion on the sea- line, 120 feet in length. All the available masons and miners of the company were appointed to this important work, and were greatly strengthened on the arrival of the 141 mechanics under Ixird llood. In the face of the enemy's artillery, the artificers continued fearlessly to rear the flank, and at last completed it in about three months, to the amazement and satisfaction of the Governor and the gan-ison. The erection of such a work, in solid masonry, and under such circumstances, is j)erhaps unprecedented in any siege, and is alike highly honourable to the engineers and to the company. Nor was the subterranean gallery under Farringdon's Battery prosecuted with less zeal under serjeant-major I nee. Five embrasures by tiiis time had been opened in the front of the Rock facing the neutral ground. The miners exerted them- selves with an energy that was conspicuous and commendable. This singular work seemed to be the Governor's hobby ; he expected much from it, and ordered a similar Battery for two guns to be cut in the Rock, near Croutchet's Battery, above the Prince of Hesse's Bastion. Its completion, however, was not effected until after the siege. To the schemes of the enemy there appeared to be no end ; neither did they lack hope nor want confidence. They had HISTORY OF THE [i; 95 failed to obtain the submission of the garrison by famine ; equally so, by a protrac'ted bombardment ; nor was their tremendous attack by a bomb-proof flotilla, "ssisted by their formidable land batteries, attended with better success. They now attempted a fourth stratagem, to mine a cave in the Rock by which to blow up the north front, and thus make a breach for their easy entrance into the fortress. Chimerical as the project might appear, it was conducted with some spirit, and occasioned the garrison much employment. Information of the infatuated design was, in the first instance, given by a deserter from the enemy, which, however, was cautiously received ; and as it was impracticable to perceive the miners at work, doubts still existed whether the enemy had actually embarked in the scheme. These doubts were at length removed by sergeant Thomas Jackson,' of the artificer company, by whose enteqms- ing eff'irts the movements of the enemy were rendered indis- putable. It was his duty to reconnoitre^ the north front, in addition to other services for which he was held responsible. Anxious to ascertain the cause of so much mysterious activity at the Devil's Tower, he descended the steep and rugged rock by means of ropes and ladders. The attempt was as bold as it wjii) hazardous. Stopped by an opening very near to the base of the cliff he explored the entrance, and hearing the hum of voices and the busy strokes of hammers and picks he was well assured of the purpose for which the excavation was intended. Climbing the steep again, he reported what he had discovered. A stricter watch was therefore kept upon the Tower to prevent communication between it and the Rock, Hand-grenades and weighty fragments of stone were frequently ' Joined the company August, 1776, from the 56th Foot, in which he had served eleven years. Discliarged about 1789. * Ueconnoitering appears to liave been a duty that devolved upon sergeants of the company. On the 25th December, 1782, two soldiers attempted to desert from Mount Misery ; one "got down, though the rope broke, which accident was ;he cause of the other being retaken. A few dpys after a sergeant of the artificers was ordered to reconnoitre the place where this deserter descended, and he got down far enough to dis' over the unfortimate man dashed to pieces at the foot of the precipice." — ' Drinkwafer.' Murray's edit., 1846, p, 100. 1783.] UOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. hurled over the precipice to terrify the workmen below, and choke up the entrance to the gallery ; and though these means did not make the intrepid miner? relinquish their project, they yet greatly interrupted its progress. The notion of the engineer who proposed the mine must have been the result of desperation, fcr what m'";!, have been its nature to crumble in its explosion a huge mass of compact rock, nearly 1 ,400 feet of perpendicular height, into a roadway, by which to enter the fortrtiS as thv: ugh a breach ? SjUcc the flotilla had been burnt and the fleet had disap- pean^d, it was evident that the enemy now depended for a triumph on their gim-boats and land-batteries, and also the mine at the Devil's Tower. For a Lime they warmly plied the fortress with shot and shell, to which the garrison responded with considerable animation. Intervals followed, induced by indecision or caprice, in which the firing from the enemy was very desultory and inefficacious ; but that from the garrison was always well sustained. The soldiers of the Rock seemed to rise in spirit and activity as the enemy dechned in these qua- lities. With the latter, the barometer of iheir hopes fell with their energies. Still they fruitlessly laboured on, the min*) under the Rock being the principal object of their attention, until relieved I'rom the disgrace of another defeat, by the arrival of news from home of the signing of preliminaries for a general peace. The intelligence was commuuicatod to the garrison on the 2nd February, 1783, and on the 5th, the last shot in the conflict was fired from the fortress. 'I'lius terminated a siege, extending over a period of nearly four y(!ars, which, when all the circumstances connected with it are tfa:en into account, am sciircely find its parallel in the chrd'.icles of ancient or modern warfare. During the whole of this memorable defence, the company of artificere proved themselves to be good and bravo soldiers ; and no less conspicuous for their skill, usefulness, and zeal on the works. With their conduct and exertions in the i)erformance of their various professional duties, their officers were always well plejised ; aud, not unfrequently, the Governor, and General £8 HISTORY OF THE ri783. Rank Sergeants. and Kile. Total. 1 6 7 0 7 7 49 3 30 35 0 23 23 Boyd, in witnessing their services, encouraged and flattered them with expressions of their admiration. In later days, when the expediency of raising a corps of military artificers was dis- cussed in the House of Commons, Captain Luttrell stated, " that during the siege, the corps at Gibraltar had been found of infinite service."^ The following is a detail of the casualties that occurred in the company at this siege : — Offlcers. Killed* 0 Wouuded, severely . . 0 Wounded, but recovered . 2 Dead by sickness . . 0 Total ... 2 4 66 "2 Besides which, two men having plundered the King's stores, were executed for the oflfence at the Convent in Irish Town, on the 29th May, 1781.» It is, however, satisfactory to mention, that of the forty-three desertions recorded to have taken place from the garrison, none were from the artificer company. One regiment was decreased eleven men from this cause, and another nine. "' Gentleman's Magazine,' 58, part 2, 1788. * Sergeant John Richmond — date unknown. Corporal Charles Tabb ) „,., »,t . -„, ,, . , „ > 25th November, 1781. Mason Adam Parsons ) Mason Adam Sharp— .Mh March, 1782. Mason George Brown — 11th .Tune, 1782. Nailor Hobert Shepherd — Kith January, 1783. The name of the other man killed cannot be ascertained, as the documents of the company from the commencement of the siege to the 30th September, 1781, ■ire lost. ' The names of the criminals were Artificers Samuel Whitaker and Simon Pratts. \ 1783.] ROYAT. SAITERS AND MINERS. 29 1783. Due de Crillon's compliments respecting 'i^ works— Subterranean galleries — Their supposed inefficiency— Henry 'nc>. — Q; ickness of sight of two boys of the company— Employment of the boys oaring the siege— Tliomas Rich- mond and Jolin Brand — Models constructed by them. The cessation of hostilities brought the commanders of the two powers together, and a most interesting interview took place between them. Dm-ing the visit of the Due de Crillon, he was shown all the marvels of the Rock ; but the fortifications espe- cially engaged his attention. Having been coiHluctod to the batteries on the heights, his Grace made some remarks on the formidable appearance -"f the lower def. . and on the good state of the batteries in ho short a peruMi Th(>se," writes Drinkwater, "produced some compliments to tin' chii-t I'ngi- neer ;" and, continues the historian, " when conducted into the gallery above Farringdon's Battery — now called Windsor his Grace was particularly astonis!ied, especially when informed of its extent, which at that time was between 500 and 600 feet. Turning to his suite, after exploring the extremity, he exclaimed, these works are worthy of the Romans."' For many years the galleries thus eulogized, by the Duke were in course of construction, and are formed, as already stated, by deep excavations in the solid rock. Passing round the north face in two tiers,'' mounting about forty pieces of heavy ordnance, they command the approach to the fortress from the neutral ground, and render it almost impregnable on that side. Large magazines and spacious halls— in like manner hewn out of the rock— are attached to them. The work, as a whole, I Drinl. water's 'Siege of Gibraltar." Murray's edit., 1840, p. 16,1. • Called Lower, or Union Galleries ; and Upper, or Windsor Galleries. HISTORY OP THE [1783. executed principally by the jumper and blasting, is curious and even marvellous, bearing also unequivocal evidence of ingenuity and of immense labour. Than these subterranean passages and chambers, no better testimony need scarcely be desired of the successful superintendence of sergeant-major Ince and of the ikill and exertions of the company. Notwithstanding the fonnidable character of these defences, doubts seem to exist as to their real efficiency in a siege. These doubts have arisen from the idea that the report of the explosion would not only be deafening, but that the smoke would return into the galleries and suffocate the men.' No experiments have ever been made with the view of ascertaining these par- ticulars : speculation is therefore properly admissible. Once, indeed, in 1804, they were fired in salvo to dispel, if possible, the then raging fever ;* and at distant intervals since, some of the guns have been discharged ; but no complaint was ever mad-" — at least became public — of the inutility of these galleries from the causes stated. To expect a loud report is certainly natural, but much less so the recoil of the smoke, as a strong current of air is always passing in the galleries, and rushing with some force through the embrasures. No matter how sultry the day, how still the air, or how fiercely the s in may beam upon the Rock, in these galleries a strong breeze is constantly felt ; and the fresher the wind f.om the outside, whether from the north-east, and blowing directly into the embrasunv, or sweeping round the Rock, the stronger is the current witliin the ij;allcrios to force back or disperse the smoke. But little, therefore, of the vnpour can find its way back, and that little must be much less annoying to the gunners than in an open field when, firing smartly in the teeth of the wind, the whole volume turns back and beclouds them as long as the cannonade continues. However, should the alleged defect be found on trial to exist, there is no reason to fear but that the ' Walsh's ' Campaigns in Egjpt,' is i, p. 5. Wilkic, 'On British Colo- nil's considered as Military Posts,' in Iiiited Service Journal, Part ii., 1840, p. 379. * Maiile's 'Campaigns of North Hollai;d and Kgjpt,' &c., p. •')0,'i. 1783.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. m military engineer will readily adopt some effectual contrivance for removing the annoyance, and for obtaining all that power and efficiency which the galleries were designed to possess and should be capable of commanding. Since these excavations — these vaults of solitude — which excite some degree of awe from their magnitude, and the proud array of ordnance that arm them — have always been highly praised by military men, and been visited both by officers and others as a species of marvel at the fortress, it will not be out of place to introduce the projector — Henry Ince — to notice. He was born in 1737 at Penzance in G)mwall, was brought up to the trade of a nailor, and afterwards acquired some expericiice as a miner. Early in 1755 he enlisted into the 2nd Foot, and served some time with it at Gibraltar, where he had been much employed on the works in mining and blasting rock. After a service of seventeen and a half years in the 2nd regiment, he joined the company, then forming, on the 26th June, 1772. The same day he was promoted to be sergeant. Having showed superior intelligence in the execution of his duties as a foreman, and distinguished himself by his diligence and gallantry during the siege, he was, in September, 1781, selected for the rank of sergeant-major. In the following year he suggested the forma- tion of the galleries, and was honoured by being directed to conduct the work himself. This he continued to do until it was finished. As " overseer of the mines," he had the executive charge of all hiasting, mining, battery building, &c., at the for- tress, and tvas found to be invaluable. He was active, prompt, and persevering, very short in stature, but wiry and hardy in constitution ; was greatly esteemed by his officers, and fre- quently the subject of commendation from the highest autho- rities at Gibraltar. In February, 1787, when the Duke of Richmond was endeavouring to economize the ordnance expen- diture at the Rock, the emoluments of sergeant-major Ince claimed his attention : but remembering his fair fame, his Grace thus wrote concerning him : — " I do not object to sergeant- major Henry Ince being continued as overseer of mines at 4». per day, as I understand, from all accounts, that he is a meri- HISTORY OF THE [1783. torious man, and that he distinguished himself during the siege ; but, as such allowance, in addition to his pay, is very great, I desire it may not be considered as a precedent ; and whoever succeeds him must only receive 2s. \0d. per day, like the fore- men in other branches, if he should be appointed a foreman." In 1791, after a period of thirty-six years' active service, he was discharged from the company, but wjis still continued on the works as an overseer. On the 2nd February, 1796, he was commissioned as ensign in the Royal Garrison Battalion, find on the 24th March, 1801, was promoted to be lieutenant. In 1802 the regiment was disbanded. All this time, however, Ince was attached to the department as assistant-engine(*r ; but at length, having worn himself out in the service of the fortress, he returned to Penzance, and died in June, 1809, at the age of seventy-two.* Among the various stirring incidents narrated by Drinkwater, is the following, relative to the peculiar advantage of the boys of the soldier-artificer company during the siege. " In the course of the day," 25th March, 1782, " a shot came through one of the capped embrasures on Princess Aiielia's Battery (Willis's), took off the legs of two men belonging to the » Ince had a farm at the top of the Rock, which is still called by his name. He had an only son, a clerk in the Commissariat department at Gibraltar, under Commissary-general Sweetlove, who, together with his wife, died in the fever of 1804, leaving an infant son, who was brought up by his grandmother. The eldest daughter of Lieutenant Ince was married at Gibraltar to Lieute- nant R. Stapleton, of the 60th Rifles, who exchanged with Lieutenant Croker into the 13th Foot, and then sold out. One day Mr. Ince was trotting at ai> easy pace up the Rock, when the Duke of Kent, overtaking him, observed, " That horse, Mr. Ince, is too old for you." " I like to ride easy, your Royal Highness," was the subaltern's meek reply. "Right, but you shall have another, more in keeping with your worth and your duties;'' and soon afterwards the Duke presented him with a very valu- able steed. The old overseer, however, was unable to manage the animal, and he rode again to the works on his own quiet nag. The Duke, meeting him soon after, inquired how it was he was not riding the new horse, when Ince replied, he was unable sufficiently to curb his spirit and tranquillize his pace. Ince then prayed his Royal Highness to honour his servant by receiving the noble creature into his stud again. " No, no, overseer," rejoined the Duke; " if you can't ride him easily, pnt him into your pocket I" The overseer readily understood his Royal Highness, and exchanged the beautiful steed for his vorth in doubloons. 1783.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 33 72nd and 73rd regiments, one leg of a soldier of the 73rd, and wounded another man in hoth legs ; thus four men had seven legs taken off and wounded by one shot. The boy, who was usually stationed on the works where a large party was employed to inform the men wher. the enemy's fire was directed to that place, had l)een reproving them for their carelessness in not attending to him, and had just turned his head toward the enemy, when he observed this shot, and instantly called for them to take care ; his caution was, however, too late ; the shot entered the embrasure, and had tlie above-recited fatal effect. It is somewhat singular that this boy should be possessed of such uncommon quickness of sight as to see the enemy's shot almost immediately after they quitted the guns. He was not, however, the only one in the garrison possessing this qualifica- tion ; another boy, of about the same age, was as celebrated, if not his superior. Both of them belonged to the artificer company, and were constantly placed on some part of the works to observe the enemy's fire ; their names were Richmond (not Richardson, as stated by Drinkwater) and Brand; the former was reported to have the best eye."" Joseph Parsons,' another youth of the company, was also employed as a looker- out on the works ; and though his name has escaped the notice of the historian, he was nevertheless no less efficient. It was an object that every one in the fortress should lie rendered useful in some way or other, and the boys of the company — out of sympathy for their youth — were, for some time after the commencement of the siege employed on the works at Earopa quarry, then but little annoyed by the enemy's fin,'. At length, inured to labour, and taught by events to expect danger, it was considered of greater advantage to occuj)y their time at the diflferent batteries ; and on the 15th February, 1782, the Chief Engineer directed their removal to the works and fortifications," with the view of looking out for the • ' Drinkwater.' Murray's edit., 1846, p. 108. ' Parsons joined the company in February, 1779, and was discharged, as a private artificer, 1st January, 1809, on Is. 4(/. a-day. " Order Book— Chief Engineer's. VOL. I. IJ 34 HISTORY OF THE [1783. enemy's projectiles, and giving warning of their approach. On the 21si June following, yuch of the boys as were masons in the company were engaged under Mr. Hutchinson, a civil foreman, in rounding stones, agreeably to the instructions of Major Lewis of the artillery. These stones, according to Drinkwatcr, wore " cut to fit the calibre of a 13-inch mortar, with a hole drilled in the centre, which being filled with a sufficient quantity of powder, were fired with a short fuse to burst over the enemy's works." It was an unusual mode of annoyance, and for its novelty was employed lor some time ; but not eflfecting the damage that was desired, it was ultimately laid aside." On the failure of this experiment, the boys returned to the perilous posts assigned to them on the batteries to look out. At this duty they continued as long as the siege lasted, and doubtless, by their vigilance in its execution, they were the means of saving many valuable lives, or othenvise preventing casualty. Of the two boys who have been so favourably noticed by Drinkwater, it may not be unacceptable to devote a small space here to their brief but honourable history. Their names were Thomas Richmond '" and John Brand ; the former was known at the Rock by the familiar sobriquet of shell, being the better looker-out ; and the latter by the name of shot. Rich- mond was trained as, a carpenter ; Brand as a mason. Their fathers were sergeants in the company." Richmond's was killed at the siege. As might be expected, the beneficial services of these boys at the batteries acquired for them no common celebrity and esteem. The siege being over, the youths were sent to Mr. Geddes's school, at that time the principal seminary at Gibraltar. This gentleman paid every attention to their instruction and im- provement, and, as a consequence, they progressed rapidly in " 'Order-Book' (Chief Engineer's) of 2l5t June, 1782 ; and 'Drinkwatcr,' Murray's edit., 1S46, p. 118. '" Not Richardson, as Drinkwater has it, p. 108. " Brand's father, a mason bj ./ade and a Perthsliire man, was the first artificer enrolled in the company. 1783] IIOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 35 their studies. Being found quick, intelligent, and ingenious, some officers of the company patronized them, and placed them in the drawing-room under their own eye, with the view of making them competent to fill better situations. Brand in time became corporal, and Richmond lance-corporal, whioh ranks they held on the 8th May, 1789, when they were discharged from the corps, and appointed by the Commander-in-Chief assistant-draughtsmen.'^ Having made considerable proficiency in their trades, they were employed for some years previous to their discharge as modellers, which art they continued to follow with great tact, skill, and perseverance, until they quitted the fortress. Aft<}r several trial models of various subjects, these young men com- menced the gigantic task of modelling Gibraltar, at which they worked with unwearied application for nearly three years. Succeeding so well in this their first great and public under- taking, Brand '•' was directed to make a model in polished stone of the King's Bastion, and Richmond '* a model of the north front of Gibraltjir. Nearly the whole of the years 1790 and 1791 were spent in perfecting them ; and for these noble speci- mens of art they were favoured with the flattering congratula- tions of the highest authorities at the fortress. The better to exemplify the appreciation entertained of the models, and of the merits and talents of the modellers, they were recommended to the Duke of Richmond for commissions. His Grace immedi- ately ordered them to proceed to Woolwich, to undergo some slight preparatory training. That training was short — a few months sufficed, and then they were honoured with appointments as second lieutenants in the royal engineers. Their commissions were dated 17th January, 1793."' Soon the young subalterns. '* 'Order- Book' (Chief Engineer's), 8th May, 1789. ■" Assisted by sergeant James Shirres, an ingenious artizan and modeller. This non-commissioned officer, after serving at the capture of Minorca, was made a sergeant-msyor of the company that served there, 2nd May, 1800, and on the 3l8t December, 1804, was appointed overseer in the royal engineer department at Plymouth. >* Assisted by Antonio Marques, a Minorcaen artificer, " ' London Gazette,' 13,494. 15 to 19 January, 1793. d2 ■ 36 HISTORY OF THE [1783. rich in intelliffciice and full of promise, wcro sent abroad ; but before the close of the year, both fell a j)rey to the prevailing yellow fever in the West Indies." The three models alluded to were brought to England in 171t3 by desire of General O'Hara. The large model of the entire Rock was deposited in the museum in the Royal Arsenal, and the other two were presented to Ilis Majesty George III. Private Joseph Bethell had charge of the first model," and Private Thomas Hague '" of the other two. The large model, " The i^ducation of these youths is highly creditable to the officers of engi- neers. Mu'iy similar instances of buys in the corps ac(|uiring distinction by their talents, have subsequently occurred, the honour of which, in great mea- sure, is due to ihe officers. Assistance and encOHragement thoy never fail to give in cases where their efforts are likely to meet with success, and numbers have thus qualified themselves to till important situations with efficiency au3, aged 84. '" Hague was a tall, intelligent mechanic, a fine modeller, and a smart sol- dier. On account of these qualities, he was selected to take charge of the models for George III. Having put them together on their tables at Bucking- ham Palace, His Majesty, the Queen, and royal family, with other illustrious personages of the court, came to see them. Hague was cited before them to explain the model, and to point out the defences which, from t leir prominence in the late siege, had acquired historic identity. His observatioi:s were listened 1783.] ROYAL SAPPKHS AND MINKPS. from being lodged in a public place open to visitors, was well known. It was an object of considerable attraction, " and was much admired," so Drinkwater writes, " for beauty of execution and niiimte correctness.'"" A visitor to the Arsenal in those days corroborates the just encomium of the historian, and thus records his impressions : — " I walked yesterday morning to Woolwich Warren, that immense repository of military arts, the iKilladium of our empire, where one wonder succeeds another so raj)idly, that the mind of a visitor is kept in a continual giize of admiration. Should I be asked what has made the strongest imj)rcssion on mine, it is a magnificent view of the rock of Gibraltar, which was made there, formed of the very rock itself, on a scale of twenty-five feet to an inch, and presents a most perfect view of it in every point of i)erspcctive." '*' Nine years after its placement, the museum in the arsenal was fired by an incendiary, and this celebrated model was unfortunately destroyed.*' The other two models, which held to with attention, and His Maiesty awarded him a gratifying proof of his royal approbation. Soon afterwards Hague returned to Gil)raltar, and on the .'list Marcli, ISIS, was discharged and pensioned at \s. 8c/. a-day. He was subse- (juently employed as a modeller in the grand store; was married in lSi7 ; and died at the Kock about 1833, upwards of 100 years old. 1° ' Drinkwater.' Murray's edit., 184(i, p. 108. '"' To this the visitor adds a description of the model, wliich is adjoined here, on account of the model itself having long since been destroyed. " First then," says the writer, "are the Spanish lines; then the perpendicular rock, rising bold from the neck of the neutral ground, which is not many feet above high-water mark. On the east, or left hand, is the Mediterranean Sea ; and on the west, within the nu)le or pier, is the Hay of Gibraltar, in which the largest ships in the Hritish Navy may ride safe. The garrison, town, and forts, are to the westward, whence the rock rises with a more gradual acclivity to the summit, — the east side of which is also perpeuilicular, and inhabited by monkeys. On the highest point is the Levant Battery, wliieli is nearly three times and one half the height of St. Paul's church, or 137.') feet above the level of the sea. The southern extremity of the model of this rock towards Fluropa I'oiut, being too large for the room, and less important, is eut oil". This de- scription ought to fill a volume." — Gentleman's Magazine, part L', 1798, p. fi48. «' This was on the a2nd May, 1802. The acctmnt given at the time of this disgrr"ceful act is as follows ; — " A dreadful fire broke out at Woolwich, and from the investigation which has taken place into this calamitous circumstance, there is but too much reason to believe that this disaster was not the mere effect 38 HISTORY OK TUK [1783. a place in Buckinglmm Palace for about twenty-seven years, were presented in 1 H20 liy George IV. to the Royal Military Repository at Woolwich. They are now daily exhihited in the Rotunda, and are, jjerhaps, about the best specimens of workmanship and ingenuity in the |)lacc. That of the King's Bastion is finely wrouglit, and is really beautiful ; that of the north front, bold and masterly. Both claim tbe particular attention of visitors, exciting at once their surnrise and admi- ration. of acculent. Tlit" firu broke out, nt oii'! imd tlio some timp, in ihvvv different places, besides which a great mass of cDiubnstiblu materials have been disco- vered. The loss to Govcrnnieiit will he immense. The damage done to llie Model-room is particularly to be lamented, as several choice works of art have been destroyed, without the power of reparation; however, the injury done to the beautiful model of the rock of Gibraltar is not so great us was at first re- presented, it having sustained but a slight damage, wliich can be easily repaired, and the whole restored to its original state." — Dodsley's Annual liegister, ISD'J, p. 404. The journalist 18 wrong in his remarks concerning the state of the model after the tire. It was completely destroyed, and not even the frag- ments are now in exi:;teuce. Some persons, indeed, with whom I have con- versed, bear out the chronicler in his record, and aflirm that the model ions repaired, and w how in the liotunda; but they have given me a fair inference of the mistaken character of their recollections, by uniformly referring to the model of the nurth front, executed by liichmond and Mnr((ues, which, at the very time that the fire occurred, formed one of the curiosities of liuckinghani Palace. Drinkwnter (p. ll'8, Murray's edit.) attests the fact of its destruction; and in this he is borne out by the ' Uepository Detail of Arms,' &c., printed in 18^2, In that catalogue (at p. 9— 21 ) is a list of the arms, models, Stc, of the Driijiniit institution preserved from the fire of 1802, and collected by Sir William Congreve, but no mention is made of the moilel in question. This, then, is the best attainable evidence of the certainty of its demolition, coupled with the acknowledgment, at page .12 of the same catalogue, that the " North end of Gibraltar," the model mistaken for the one destroyed in the Arseral, was presented to the Kepository by George IV. Had the large model of the Uock been preserved, Sir William Congreve would most certainly have noted it in the detail. 783. firs, tary 1783.1 ROYAL SArPERH AND MINERS. 1783. Statu of tlic fortress — Exfciition of the works ilopeiided upon ttic company — Crsiialties filled up by tranefors from the line — Comjiositiou — liccruiting — Ke.'ieved from all Uiitius, garrisou and regimental — Anniversary of the de- striiciion of the Spanish battering flotilla. Foil about six months previously to the termination of hostili- ties, the sii'ge hua been carried on with fearful vigour, and the destruction it occasioned, revealed to a mournful extent the efficiency of the enemy's cannonade. The tiers of 1 ntteries on the north front, the whole of the fortifications along the sea face, and indeed every work of a pcnnanoiit character, were considerably damaged or thrown down. The town too was little better than a vast ruin, and its houses were levelled to the rock, or were loft standing in tottering fragments, or at best in their shells, despoiled and untencinted, as so many monuments of an unboinided calamity. The inhabitants, driven shelterless into the streets, were compelled either to leave the fortress, or to locate themselves under canvas amid the general desolation ; or to seek a comfortless retreat in the dark and gloomy ca\'erns of the rock. Such was the wreck to which Gibraltiu* wiis reduced at the close of the siege, and the work of restoration, therefore, was both extensive and pressing. The reconstruction or repair of the fortifications and other public works at the fortress, in great part depended ujjon the company ; and the more so, since the immbers of the line com- petent to work as tradesmen were inconsiderable. Assistance from the civil population of the place was neither given nor expected, as the works in the town secured to them abundance of employment and excellent wages. Policy, therefore, dictated 40^ HISTORY OF THE [1783. the expediency of paying particular regard both to the nume- rical and physical efficiency of the company. At the close of the siege, there were twenty-nine rank and file wanting ij complete the soldier-artificers, which number was increased to thirty-nine by the end of May. To supply this deficiency, the Governor ordered the transfer of an equal number of artificers fro"'. regiments in the garrison : and on the 31st July, the company was complete. Still, there were many of the men who, from wounds received at the siege, or from privation and hardship, or from exposure in camp, in summer, to the excessive heat of the sun, and in the autumn, to the heavy rains, were unequal 1 j the exertion required from them on the v.'o.ks. Among them were the best masons and carpen- ters of ihe company, who were stated to have been " expended " during the siege. Accordiiigly, on thj 31st of August, sixty- seven men, good " old servants, and those that had lost the use of their liiiibs .n tlu; service," were discharged and " recom- mendcu," whose vacancies were at once filled up by volunteers from the line. After this desirable pruning, the composition of the company stood as under : — 1 Sergeant-major. 10 Sergeants. 10 Corporals. 4 Drummers. 38 Mi.sons. ."iS Smiths. ,54 Carpenters. 21 Sawv'.TS. 32 Miners. 6 Wheelers. 5 File-cutters. 4 Nuiloi's. 3 Gardeners. 7 Lime-liurners. 3 Coopers. 1 Painter. 1 Collar-maker. 1 Brazier. Total 234 As far as circumstances permitted, the strength of the com- 1783.] ROYAL SAPl ERS AND MINERS. 41 pany was never allowed to sink beneath its establishment, for whenever a casualty occurred, it was immediately filled up. Not only was the Chief Engineor anxious on this point, but the Governor and Lieut.-Governor felt equal concern, and were ready to give effect to any measure which should yield the required result. If, at Gibraltar, the recruiting failed from the want of the proper classes of mechanics to join the company, the Duke of Richmond found means in England and Scotland to meet the case. His Grace was both an admirer and an advocate of the military system of carrying on the works, and took peculiar interest in the recruiting, even to superintending the service, and acting in some ca. ?3 as the recruiting sergeant. Hence the company, seldom shc.i. of its complement of men, inva. iably afforded a force of more than 220 non-commissioned officers and artificers to be employed constantly in restoring the fortifications, &c. : the sick at this period averaged aliout eight a day. To obtain the full benefit of their services, and to expedite the works, tie soldier- artificers were excused from all garrison routine — as well as from their own regimental gui^rds and fatigues — and freed from all interferences likely to interrupt them in the performiince of their working duties. Even the cleaning of their rooms, the care of their anns and accoutre- ments, and the cooking of their messes, were attended to by ijoldiers of the line. Every encouragement was thus given to the company to work well and assiduously, and every liberty that could possibly be conceded, not excepting a })artial aban- donment of discipline, was granted to them. Nevertheless, to impress them with the recollection that their civil employments and privileges did not make them {\ny the less soldiers, they were jjaraded genorcHy under arms, on the Sunday ; and to heighten the effect of their military apjiearance, wore accou- trements which had belonged to a disbanded Newfoundland regiment, purchased for the.ni at the economical outlay of 7s. a set. Perhaps no body of men subject to tlie articles of war werf^ ever permittid to live and work under a T.'lder surveil- lance ; and it might be added, tliat none could t ive rendered 42 HISTORY OP THE [1783. servicea more in keeping with the indulgences bestowed. They did their duty with zeal, and the works progressed to the satis- faction of the engineers and the authorities. The remembrance of the late siege was not likely soon to be effaced from the memory of those who participated in it ; and hence the company, regarding themselves in a peculiar sense as the fencibles of the fortress, and as having contributed largely to its defence, commemorated the event by means of a ball and supper. The festival was held at the " Three Anchors Inn," on the 13th of September — the anniversary of the destruction of the battering flotilla — on which occasion Lord Ileathfield, and Sir Robert Boyd, the Lieutenant-Governor, with their respective staff-officers, dined with the company, and retired after drinking one or two complimentary toasts in praise of their gallantry at the siege, and their useful services on the fortifications and works.' ' This anniversary supper was held by the non-commissioned officers an- nually, on tlie date named, at the Tlircc Anchors. After the first year, tlie tickets of admission were ICs. Be?, each, or 5 dollars and 4 reals, which pro- vided, in tlie language of one who used to have a seat at the table, " a sump- tuous entertainment." At that time the dollar was Us., and the real 4^/. Each ticket adnutted a married non-commissioned officer and his family, or a single one and his friend. The privates took no part in the celebration. On each occasiou, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, &c., honoured the company with their presence, and made gratifying allusions to their services at the siege. The night of the festival used to be familiarly termed Jimh-ship niijht, both by the inhabitants and the soldiers. The custom was perpetuated till the year 1804, when, from tlie fearful epidemic that prevailed, it was necessarily omitted, and was never again held. It was a common opinion that the Duke of Kent interdicted these loyal anniversaries, but such was not the ease. The last one was held in September, 1803, after his Koyal Highness had been re- called from Gibraltar. 1786.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 43 178(5—1787. Company divided into two-NHmerous discharges-Cause of the men hecom- i«K so soon ineiTective-Fourth augmentation -Labourers-Recruiting, reinforcements-Dismissal of foreign artificers-Wreclc of bng ' Mercury -Uniform dreis-Working ditto-Names of officers-Pnvileges-Cave under the signal house. Os the 30th June the Duke of Richmond divided the company into two, owincr to the professional duties of the Qiief Engineer rendering it Impracticable for him to pay proper attention to the discipline and interior management of so large a body. The two senior officers at the fortress were appointed to take immediate charge of these companies, and each was atithorized to receive an allowance of 5GL 10s. per annmn in lieu of all charges for repair of arms, &c.' Tlie (Jhief Engineer, never- theless, continued in command of both companies. In the estimates, however, anmially presented to Parliament, the corps was not recognized as being formed into two companies, possibly with a view to prevent the members of the House of Commons beincr drawn into a profitless debate upon a fancied attempt to incrc^ase the corps ; a debate which, very likely, would not have been productive of compliments to his Grace, as by his exten- sive but lately rejected schemes for national defence he had made himself in some respects obnoxious to the House and to the country. By this time there were many men in the corps, who from length of service and other causes were no longer fit for the 1 This sum seems to bo a sort of standing e-iuivalent, and has existed without uUeration, through all the changes of advanced or reduced prices m material and labour, to the present day. 44 HISTORY OF THE •■1786. duties of the department ; and there were others, also, who from continued miscor duct were worthless and burdensome. Captain Evelegh, returning to England about this period, lost no time in making the Duke of Richmond acquainted with the state of the companies, and of advising the discharge of all who were inadecjuate to their pay. His Grace at once acquicscea, and the companies being well weeded, eighty-two men were dis- charged during the winter and ensuing spring. Tn so young a corps, scarcely fourteen years embodied, it might occasion some surprise why so many men became in- effective in so short a time. The reason is obvious. At all periods since the formation of the corps, the demands for mecha- nics of good qualification were urgent. Under thirty years of age men could seldom be had from the line, whose services were worth acceptance, being either irregular in conduct, or possessing but little pretension to ability as tradesmen. Me- chanics were therefore generally received at thirty-five to forty-five, and oftentimes at the bald age of fifty. Neither age nor height was an insuperable disqualification, provided the candidate for transfer or enlistment possessed sufficient stamina for a few years' hard wear and tear. It was r.!;i, therefore to be expected that they could serve long in tlie companies, more especially, as, the works of the fortress being always I'nportant and pressing, the men were obliged to labour zealously to meet the exigency, exposed to all the fitful and depressing changes of wind and temperature. In the course of the interview with the Duke of Richmontl, Captain Evelegh proposed that an augmentation of 41 labourers siiould be made to the companies. Of the necessity for this his Grace was not so well persuaded, for knowing the ready dis])o- sition of the Governor of Gibraltar to provide men, at all times, for the services of the works, he felt assured that no d'fliculty would be found in obtaining any nimiber required from the line, on a proj)er representation of their need being made. He would not therefore sanction tlie measure ; but, as his Grace was aware, from the extent of the works in progress, that the demand for mechanics was very great, and as lie was moreover 1786.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 45 much averse to the employment of civil artificei-s, he considered it would be a far greater public benefit to increase the corps with mechanics than labourers, lie therefore, in September, took upon himself the respimsibility of augmenting the com- j)anies with forty one masons and bricklayers, which fixed the strength of the corps as under : — 1 Sergeant-major. 10 Sergeants, 10 Corporals. 4 Drummers. 2.50 Private artificers. Total 275 Each company was to consist of 137 non-commissioned officers and men. llis Grace, moreover, ordered that such of the artificer as were not sufficiently skilful at their trades, to the number of forty, were to Iw employed as labourei-s, if required, but he did not contcmiplate that any such could be found in the corps. From this slight innovation, however, soon after followed the authorized enlistment of labourers as a jjart of the establish- ment,— a measure not in any sense welcomed by the old arti- ficers, who conceived they were losing caste and j)osition by the iissociation. Means for obtaining transfers and recruits at Gibraltar were now considerably straitened. The Duke of Richmond, there- fore, undertook to furnish the number authorized to be added to the corps, and to supply the constantly-recurring casnilties. Upon this duty his Grace employed several officers of engineers in the manufacturing districts of England and Scotland. Captain Rudyerd was the chief recruiting officer in North Rritain, and he seems to have been tlie most successful in obtaining recruits. Married men'* with families were not ' The regulation with regard to the wives and t'umilies of recruits going to Gibraltar, as established by the Duke of liichnioud, is sufficiently curious, by comparison with the present very limited system, to be mentioned here. On the 9th September, lT8«i, the Duke arranged that to every 20 men, 10 women and 10 children should be allowed to accompany them. If there were n\ore tiian that number with the party, lot.s were to be drawn, and those who did not 46 HISTORY OF THE [1786. debarred from enlistment, if their personal appearance and talents as tradesmen were favourable. More attention was now paid to age than heretofore ; and none were received over thirty- five years old, unless under extraordinary circumstances. The bounty allowed to each candidate was 13/. 13s. 6d. Five batches^ of recruits, numbering in the whole 183 arti- ficers, were sent to the Rock in rapid succession ; but as they were long in annving, it was considered expedient to hire civil artificers from Portugal and Italy to expedite the works. How- ever desirable it might have been to adopt this course, tlic Duke of Richmond disapproved of it. lie had always a great aversion to the engagement of civil artificers, wliethcr from England or from places on the Continent, arising from the great expense attending tlieir employment and their general irregular conduct. His Grace, therefore, ordered that the foreign artificers should be discharged on the arrival of the recruits, which was accordingly done. Of the second party of recruits, it may be permitted to tiike a more than passing notice. It was composed of 58 men, all mechanics, " in the prime of life," under cliarge of sergeant Sherritt', accompanied by their wives, 28 in number, and 12 children — in all 101 persons. Tliey embarked at Leith on the 21st September, "< t««nng the Oj'dnanco ii«vi( c : ahuvc CO the \m\\h wax tin- vv .AuTlPiCEKK. Th. a (ilaiii f^uard ofoi • tinitiona with rep«^ iiiul clothiiiir of (oate were kor^" they also wort and lac«d fi»>u cotton ftirrnt'i!;^' , >i lAR; h<>W the ftfuiis Slicn- .) rtwonls, «iiviT-nionnt<«d, with a«wl, whitA' IfatluT. ThtMiis- .(•ii- ,1,- tiiiow- rhi* scrgi-aiif» ic; tht'ir hroec'iios and wuiHt- ice (Ml thoir oofit« was jjold • ..ifh frtMtwIh, under their coats. or niidis woro linen or ai- )■!((! iToid fririj^ed ulMtiildor- - t>5U' ijiild knot oil t!i;> rlalit, knots, and tiie lanco > ' ' whoidder.' • (Plato I.) The w<)rking-dros<.« was a plain iony rod jacket m winter, and H-.Hl mF!:o H linen ono \ > iin'" wide .-. . ' ! from tiH) t)h«K downi wards to ■cv' i .'iivh fiilif V^a,-" a ii'.,.'' ,.im .,, i . . ,r;i . . collar and out! . l yellow o.loti' ■ or voUwi, aiul at tl«c oiihII of the Iwuk i^'i • i*** iaiu<' butiou.s. f 'luler the jacket a waiotcoat v.aij w(»n» lu suiunier linen, ni winte .iannel— :of tlie same cut as Uw reffiin.jntal'one, but not laced or ferreted. Similat in mate the pantaloonn: and to thesti were Httaciie'! ' ' ' ' r.'t •■- (li'th, c»rr88fK>iidinM with t above tlic, aiik St , aid bnit.. .:; regard vi-flit {«twl to llie neik co. i ; velvet, or silk, or black handkerci i . u;t«i, A white hat rcmplcted the sii inches hiph, had a atraiglut polo witli yellow batiii width, ji'id u broad lirim fd^ied with ydlow tajn ' This norel way of distinfiuishiii* the noii eomiiii^si" (|aeDt luisfoiicuplioii «uil mistake ii» llic gtirrisin \" t«yonpt belt '>nly, strangers rcsiiiJed !hfi eorjMitP.i-. t {fljj ■••-<^ori)oral.s the next. Aimetinies wlmn tikini' > «;i (a have- presented uriiis to them, and guard" ■ > the ewi^fliment diit! to field officers! fids mili' .: ii greater or Imh •diSfrTaucc, until the adoptioi) nt' <■•■■ VOh. I. f, ;♦,'» ^4 i - ^^ "*s^s^;^" <* ... v^ V- V Y-' ■ w <^- [ ^^^ ^>' •■..... i.;.. *:»* -.V , - i^i. ' -, • -; a- :* ■ 1786.1 nOYAI, SAI'PKRS AND MINKUS. 40 The hrpiist-plato wns oval, bearing the Ordnnnce device : above the balls was the word CfiiiiiAl/TAR; below the guns Soliuku- AuTtFirKiis. Tile sergeants had swords, silver-mounted, with a plain guard of one bar only ; tassel, white leather. The dis- tinctions with regard to ranks were as follows : the sergeants had clothing of a superior fabric ; their breeches and waist- coats were kerseymere ; the lace on their coats was gold ; they also wore a crimson sash with tassels, under their coats. and laced shoulder-straps. All the other ranks wore linen or cotton ferreting ; but the corjiornls had gold fringed shoulder- knots, and the lance corporals one gold knot on the right shoulder.' (Plate I.) 'I'lie working-dress was a plain long red jacket in winter, and a linen one in summer, with a single row of large brass buttons, wide apart, down the front. It descended to the hij)s, opened from the chest upwards to show the shirt, and from that point downwards to show the waistcoat. (Convenient to the hand on each side was a huge pocket covered with a broad slash, 'riie collar and cuffs were of yellow cloth, the former turned over or rolled, and at the small of the back were two large buttons. Under the jacket a waistcoat was worn — in summer linen, in winter flannel — of the same cut as the regimental one, but not laced or ferreted. Similar in material were the pantaloons ; and to these were attached a pair of black gaiters, of linen or cloth, corresponding with the season. They reached a little above the ankle, and buttoned on the outside. No particular regard was paid to the neck covering. Stocks of leather, or velvet, or silk, or black handkerchiefs, were indiscriminately used. A white hat completed the suit. It was about six inches high, had a straight \w\e with yellow band of an inch in width, and a broad brim edged with yellow tape or ferreting. ' This noTpl way of distinpiiishiiig the non-Cdminissiont'd officers k'd to fre- quent miscouception and mistake in the gurrison. When dressed witli the bayonet belt only, strangers regarded the corporals as the highest rank, and lance-corporals the next. Sometimes when taking an excursion into Spain, sentries have presented arms to them, and guards even have turned out to pay the compliment due to field officers ! This military blunder continued, with greater or less observance, until the adoption of chevrons, about \S()5. VOL. I. B 00 HISTORY OK THK ' 1787. Plate 11. Tho di'scrij)tion of working-dross worn by tlic; non- ce inmissioned officers has not been ascertained, nor can any record bo discovered of the i)recisi^ unifornt dross adopted for the drnmmcrs, or of the peculiar badge that distinguished the sergeant-major from otlier sergeants. The only complete record that has turned up to research, showing the names of the officers who were attached to tho com- panies since tho year 1772, is a return for 1787, by which it seems tho following (jfficers did duty with them : — Captain Robert Pringle, chief engineer. Captain William Campbell Skinner, died i.-lth April, 1787. First Lieutenant, Thomas Skinner. First Lieutenant, ^N'illiam Kerstiman. Joined asth May, 1 7S7. Second Lieutenant, Thomas Smart. Second Lieutenant, Samuel T. Dickens. Draughtsman, James Evans." About tl'.is time, it appearing to bo of some consequence to cut and form a ditch immediately under the Oillon I?attery, situated on the south flank of the King's, Prince's, and Queen';;- Lines, a strong party was set to work by order of the Cliief Engineer. Thoy executed their laborious task in a compara- tively short period, which <.>licitod the wannest jmiises of General 0'IIar.i. To mark his sense of their services, how- ever, in a form more gratifying than wordi;, he gave ])ermis8ion to the companies to pass to tho neutra ground, and out of garrison, on Sundays and all holidays without a written pass, or restraint of any kind. With this privilege was also conceded the liberty to appear on such occasions in whatever ap|)arel their fancy suggested, except in their unifonn coats. It vva.s not uncommon, therefore, for the non-connuissioned officers and the respectable poi-tion of tho privates, to stroll about the garrison or ramble into Spain, 'Iressed in black t^ilk or s<»tin breeches, whiti^ silk stockings, and silver knee or shoe-buckles, drab bt^ver hats, and scarlet jackets, tastefully trimmed with white kerseymere. (jiovernor O'llara was a constant visitor at the works, and ^ Thi'sc (itiicei's were also present with the corps in 1788; but atVr that year until 17'.t7 no record has been discovered. 1789.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINKRS. fil II, Ill- it took much interest in their prof^ress. Kven aa ejirly as the morning gun-fire, he was i)oranibulating the fortifications and batteries, and wonning his way an,'.!;.r tlie mechanics. Almost to the hist man, he could call each b} name, and knew the Ix'st artificers too well ever to forget them. Familiar with their zeal and exertions, he regretted sometimes to find that a few men were absent from the works undergoing sentences of con- finement to the barracks. This induced the General to relax a liul(! in strictness towards the companies. None of the men would he suffer to be punished for intoxication, or other slight oflfiences committed when off dutv or on the works, in order that lie might have them all employed. This slackening the Hiins would, no doubt, be looked u])on now-a-dtays as a mon- strous and culpable dereliction, however plausible might be the object intended to be gained by it. To justify or condemn the act is obviously out of place here. It is simply raer'^ioned as a fact ; and while it remains a singularity in military jurisjmi- dence, the main jxiint that originated it must not be over- looked, viz., the estimation in which the Governor held the corps for their services in the restoration or improvement of the works of the fortress.'^ In enlarging the works of the garrison, the military artificin-s fretpiently 0|)ened up cavities in the promontory which were mostly of sufficient interest to excite the curiosity of geologists ; but one discovered in 17811, by some miners of the corps, while scarping the back of the liock, attracted, at the time, unusual attention. It was situated about IGO feet from the foot of the cliff, on its eastern side, nearly under the Signal House, and its extent classed it among some of tiie largest within the area of the fortress. Removing the rank vegetr.rion which had over- grown its mouth, a small chasm was bared, opening into a cave containing several chambers and yrottoi's, entered by narrow funnel-shaped crevici s, some so low and winding that ingress " This laxity of (iiscipliiiL' sooms, in tiini', to have boeoiiiu goiural aiuoiij/: the troojis at the fortress, and the extent to which it w.is carriid both l)y officers and men was little short of disgraceful. — ' Wilkie's liritish Colonies considered as Military Posts,' in ' United Service .lournal,' '2, 1840, p. .'(79. K 2 62 HISTORY OF TIIK [1780. could only be obtained by crawling through the long misty passages on all-fours. Seemingly, the roofs were supported by a number of pillars, which the dripping of ages had congoaiv^d into all sliapes and sizes and into all degrees of hardness, frnn patches of soft silvered powder to the bold indurated coiiunnar stalactite. On the floors, at different heights, were stalagmites, some peering uj) like needles, and others, swollen and grotesque, rose from frothlike eushions of delicate finish, which, "on being rudely touched, dissolved instantly into water." The hall at the extremity was divided into two oblong recesses, floored by ,i " deep layer of vegetable earth," where not a clumj) of the lowliest weed or a blade of grass was seen to show that vigour was in the eart'..'" Nothing seemed ca])able of living there but a colony of bats, some flapping about on lazy wing, and others torpid ; no process to be active, but the cold one of petrifaction, which, in nature's own confused method, had elaborated through- out the cavern, columns and pinnacles and cushions, jinflTs and concretions, some as fleecy as snow, others as crisp as hoar- fi*ost, and others of an opal hue as transi)arent as crystal. All was rich, beautiful, and sparkling. It was a marvel to adventurers, but unfit for habitation ; yet, in later years, this hole of the mountain was possessed by a Spanish goat-herd, who reached his solitude by the same threadlike but dangerous tracks as his goats. There might the recluse ha^e lived till his bones fell among the j)etrifactions, but he was at length ex- pelled from its gloomy precincts on account of his contraband iniquities. '» Martii's British Colonies, 1835, p. fil-.M. 1770.J liOYAL SArPKKS AND MlXl':i{S. 63 1779—171^8. C.iUmel Debbiejt's proposal for organizing a corps of artificers— Kejeotod — Einploynieiit of urtillcrynieii on the works at lionu- — Diike of Richmond's " KxtiMisive ;)lan!-, of fortification "—Formation of corps ordered- Sinpnlar silence of the House of Coninions on tlie sntiject — Mr. Sheridan calls atten- tion to it — Insertion of corps for first time in the Mutiny Hill — Debate upon it in both Houses of Parliament. WiiKN Spain (liH'lari'd war with Kiifflaiul in Juno, 177!», l.,i'Mit('i)ant-('()l()iit'l IIiil)l)i('<>- of tlio iMigiiieors, .soonis to have lieon impressed with the iieeossity of raising a corj)s of artiticers for service in this country. He had made several exciu'sions through Kent and a ])art of Sussex, no doubt with the object of ascertaining tlie ])robal)iiities that existed fur resisting any attempt at imasion. Wiiether such was his intention or not, these i)rofessional tours appear to have assisted his views greatly, in all that was essential to })repare the coinitry to repel aggression, lie therefore made large demands for cutting tools; conceiving, as he states, " very extensive ideas of their use in all cases," and reonimended the formation of a corps of artiticcnv. In his letter to (ieueral Lord ,\mherst, of the yOtli Jul), 177!>, he wrote: " 1 nmst take the liberty of mentioning how very advantageous to the service it woidd be, if a c(.r))s of artitic(>rs was to be selected from the army. The present establishment c/f pioneers to each regiment will ])rove in no ca.se sufficient or equal to the ptirpose of advancing an army through such a country fis this." As if to show that liis proposal was no v-rude idea, nor the dreamy suogestion of some nceillcssly-aiarmed engineer, the Colonel dip|)ed a little into tiie iiistory of tlie suiiject, to claim 64 UISTOUY OF 'IllE '177!). respect for it on the trrouiul of its iuitiquity, and jjointed out the way in which the nieasnre could be effected, lie pay;*, The ;)f the to th' rticuls :vt attention ot ttie aneients to tnis ])articuiar was wonderful, and the highest ])o'.it of ])erfection in the Roman legion was, that when it made detachments, thouf the compo- nent parts of its excellent system — artificers of all denomina- tions. i\rodern armies differ from those of the ancients scarcely in nothing hut the arms they use ; in all other points, wiM'annot imitate them too exactly. I am sensible the subject is not new to yoiu" lordshij), and if it did not strike me as a thing absolutely necessary for the good of Ills ^lajesty's service, par- ticularly at this time, I should not have troubled your lordsliip thereon. " It is a most essential part of the soldiers' dutv I allow, to be as expert as possible at covering themselves with earthworks ; but then, there is also a necessity for a band of leading men capable of instructing others, and of conducting works with more regxdarity than has been usually done where I iiave yet been upon service, as also with gi'cater disjiatch. " I will not presume to point out to your lordship the means of establishing such a cor])s, nor how far two men per company would go towards making it numerous enough for the jmrpose from the militia alone : but I will venture to say, had such a body of men been constantly here, these lines (Chatham) would have been nearly completed ; and you know what state they arc in at present." (Colonel Debb'eg's attem])t to revive an old practice, consti- tuting one of the military glories of the ancients, was certainly wortiiy of tlk 1 ■ "^ ■'ttenti(Hi, involved as England was at the time in a struggle with France and Spain : and it would have been more so, had allusion been niadi; to the beneficial services <)f the companies at CJibraltar Oniittiuii- this is sinLrnhu' enough, and readl'_\ urges the .<\"p])osition, that their name and duties were scarcely known b(>yond the scarps of the Hoek, even to the engineers thenisehcs. However, T-onI Amherst, nmel) as he may have appieciated the represented perfection of 1783.1 lioYAI. SAl'I'EKS AND MINEIIS. 60 tlie Iloiiian legion in the org.anization of its rletarlimcnts, was not by any meansi clisjxjsc'd to incur tlie rosponiibility of repro- ducing that system in t'le English army; and on the 11th August following comnuniicai
    ter liim>('H' as to their nuiturity and utility, Mr. Pitt submitted them tor the npjniou of a lioard of general and flag officers. (Jiiided by thulf' reconnnendation, he again introduced tlu" subject for the con- sideration of the House, but on the 27tli I'ebruaiy, 1 7(S((, it WHs rejected by the casting voice of the Speaker as a " measure totally inexpedient and dangerous." In no way di>courageil, however, on the I7th May following, ' •.louriuil, Housu of t'dimuoii.s,' 1 Uli Kcbniary, ITH.'t; vol. xxxix. |i. -Jiis. ' 1786.] KOYAL SAI'l'ElW AND MlNKliS. 67 to re- ins or he |al, he ventured to submit a similar question to the House con- sidenibly reduced in its denumds. l?ut us the subject of the fortifications had lonjr been before the public, had also been well investigated, and was extremely unj)o])ular both in the House and out of it, it may occasion no wonder to state, that the Duke's favourite scheme was again set aside ; and its noble projector, subjected to repeated and vexatious disappointments, was made a butt for the keen attacks and provoking taunts of in- dividuals, who scru})led not to lay bare his Grace's engineering, and to question his Grace's professional attainments. In this last defeat, however, somi; little concession was made to Mr. Pitt, by wliich he was permitted to make an estimate for improving and c()mj)leting tlie old works at Portsmouth and Plymouth dockyards, which on being presented was ultimately agreed to.^ In the diminished estimate for 178G the amount asked « If a particular acquaintance with the Duke's plan of defence, &c., be (lesireil, it can be obtained by referring to a worit eutitUil ' Observations on the Duke of liiclnuond's Extensive Plans of Fortificaf; m.' published first in ITS,"), and again in 179+. This work, which was brought In fore tiie public in an anonymous form, is known to have been written by Lieutenant .lames Glenie, of the engineers, wlio, after serving in the corps a few years, was compelled, as he says, p. -J+l, to leave it, "to avoid being ruined by the expense of continually moving from one station to another." The attack made by this gentlemau appears to Iiave been conducted with much force and talent, displaying an intimate aeiiuaintance with the principles of his ])rofis- sion. It made a great impression on the public mind, and augmented to a considerable extent the popular ferment against the new fortifications. Sev^-al of the enginetrs jnined in opinion against them, among whom was Colonel Dibhieg, who, for some expressions that he ventured, retleciing upon the Duke's plans, was tried by a (Jcneral Court-martial in 178!). In the con- cluding paragraph of tlie later edition of Mr. (ilenie's essay, the author prondsed (o Inlie an early opporlunily of delivering his sentiments at full length respecling tlie corps of royal military arllfieers and horse artillery, which, he stated, were un([ueslionably great imimsilions on the public; but the promiseil (.i/n-c I have not succeeded in procuring. If it never appeared, the gallant oHicer, very p.ob.ilily. piudeatly ivlimiuished the idea, or suppressed the MS., from a conviction that it was as unnecessary as unmerited. It is certainly curious ihat Mr. (ileuie and Colonel Debbieg, wlio were the most violent and persevering of the Dukes opponenLs, should have differed in opinion about the usefulness and importance of the coips of artificers. Hy the only evidence as yet discovered, it is obvi(JU« lhat Mr. (ilenie would willingly have disbainled it ; Colonel Debbieg, on the other hand, only a few years before aspired to the honour of originating it. 58 IIISTOKY OV TlIK 17S7. was quite iiiiuleiiuiitc to ort'ci't the purposes desi>!iu'(l ; and to enable his Oi'mcc the better to acconi])lisb tluMn, be sufriiested to Mr. Pitt the necessity of raisinjr a corps of military artificers on the model of tlie companies employed at (Gibraltar. J']x])e- rience had demonstrated beyond all dispute their excellency as artificers and soldiers, and the economy of their services. lIi; had watched and studied their discipline and advantajj^e for some years, and with these incentives, be felt no hesitation in urijinji: their inimediatt; formation. Better reasons could scarcely have been desired by Mr. Pitt, who readily gave his assistance in obtainintr a warrant from the Kinjudice and misconcep- tion. Strictly sjieaking, there was nothing unconstitutional in this manner of proceeding ; it was warranted by many precedents, but it gave rise in a subsequent session of Par- liament to some observations which required Mr. Pitt to explain his conduct in the affair. The warrant was signed on the lOth October, 1787. The Ordnance estimates for that year were not brougiit forward until a late hour on the lOtb December ; and, as but little time was afforded for discussing their merits, and par- ticularly the novel measure of embodying a corps of military artificers, a motion was made that their consideration should be adjourned to the next day. It was lost by a large majority, and the sums asked for were voted vlthout debate. In this vote was involved the formation of tlie corps. That a measure on so extraordinary a princii)le, and so hateful to the sentiments of the coinitry generally, should have piissed without scrutiny is remarkable ; but Mr. Sheridan, on the 17th December following, thinking that tiie estimates were inq)rudently hurried through the House, introduced them again to notice. At the same time he endeavoured to bring the suggestion of raising a corps of mechanics into contempt. He called the ])roject singular and extraordinary ; ridiculed 1 1787.] KOYAL SAPPERS AND MINKIiS. 00 the idea of putting tho artilicers under martial law, and thereby to abridge their liberty. Moreover, he did not con- eeive that men, ca])able of earning hiilf-a-crown a-day, would eidist ius soldiers and work in their res])ei'tive occupations at one-third of that sum for the mere douct!ur of military dis- cipline. Then, with regard to the economy of the measin*e, he remarked, "That in the report of 17!S;5, the Master-General had stated, that by suffering some of the artificers at \Vot)l- wich, Sheerness, &c. to be ])Ut into companies, the artillery would never want artificers ; and a saving of l,'i,()0()^. would be made to Government. Before, therefore, any new plan of raising a distinct corps of artilicers was authorized, it would be projter to know what the saving made in consequence of t\w original plan had amounted to ; because, if no great saving had been made, the plan now pro])osed would evidently be attended with additional expense to the public."' Mr. Sheridan did not embody this subject in his motion. His remarks uj)on it were merely incidental to his speech on the intended fortifica- tions in the West Indies, and elicited no discussion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied to Mr. Sheridan ; but he spoke only to the motion, and made no allusion whatever to the new corps. Thus quietly did the Duke of Richmond gain a project, which there was retison to expect would not be granted without decided indications of repugnance ami !"istility. The scheme, however, though it easily received the a\y- ])roval of the House of Commons, was doomed, ere long, to have a seven; sifting. In both Houses the question was very roughly handled by the Oj)position. Had it been brought forward as a specific measure at first, it would, in all probability, have been rejected or passed by a scanty majority ; but being covered by a vaster and more momentous question, it escaped observation and slipped through the Connnons concealed under the wings of its parent. The time, however, had arrived, when the subject, stripped of its covering, should be laid bare, and fairly and openly discussed ; but afti'r a wnrm debate, the project was agam sanctioned, and the fonnation of the corps confirmed. ■' DoJslcy's 'Animal Ucgisttr,' 17ti8. Secoml edit., 1790, p. yo. 60 HISTOIIY OF TlIK i:.H8. A sinninary of the dobiitc, wliich orif^iiifited in the iiitroiliie- tion, for the first time, of tlie eiirps of artitieers into tiie Mutiny Bill, and which is given in Dodsley's ' Annual Register ' for 1788,'' is sul)joined. "On till! 12th of March, the report of the (Committee on the Mutiny Bill was brought up; and on reading tin- clanso for incorporating in the army the newly-raised corps of military artificers, the same was strongly ohjt-cted to as a dangerous innovation, and as militating against the most favoured prin- ciples of the constitution. The same system, it was said, might next be extended to sbi})wrights, and so on to every descri])tiou of j)ersons in the service of the executive govcrncnent ; and therefore the House was called upon to repel so alarming an innovation //( limine. In defence of the measure it was urged, that it would bo attended with an annual saving of 2,0(10/., upon an expenditure of 22,000/, ; and that it was necessary to extend the military law to the corps in question, as the only nu'ans of keeping them together, and preventing their desertion of the public service in time of war. " This disj)ositiou to adopt a new princi))le of expediency and economy, upon a subject which went to the dimimition of the liberties of the subject, instead of the old principle of actual necessity, was severely reprobated. Several country gentlemen declared, that if the House should agree to put GOO I'lnglishmen luider martial law, merely for the jialtry consideration of saving 2,000/. per annum, they would betray their constituents, and would be devoid of those feelings for the constitution, which ought to make their distinguishing character. It was denied that any n'-cessity for so extraordinary a siuTcndcr of the liber- ties of a })art of the comnnmity was made out: it having never been asserted, nor being indeed true, in fact, tiiat there was any diflii'ulty in procuring artificers for the ( )r(luaiice service in time of war. The sense of the House being taken on the clause, there appeared, ayes 114, noes 67.* * Dodsley's 'Annual Register.' Second edit., 1790, pp. \H-\'>.\. ' Clause i.xxv. Piil)lio Acts, 28 Geo. 111., vol. i., p. .'iti'J. This was not a specific clause to meet the case of the aitilicers, but the same which liad existed, 1788. UOYAL SAPPEHH AND MINRKS. 61 "The siwimo subject wna a^ /. M^ % % 'i" 1.0 1.1 |50 "^ ■■■ 1^ Ui2 |2.2 H: 1^ ilO 11.25 i 1.4 1.6 /I /: r o;^ 7 J /^ iiC PhotDgrapl: Sciences Corporation n WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 ■ 4' s 02 HISTORY OF THE ri788. hira, he said, that the formation of a rejrular corps of artificers, who would in ftiture wars, be applicable to any service when wanted, either at home or abroad, could not but be attended with very beneficial consequences. In all the annies abroad, such a corps made part of those armies, and as their utility was unquestionable, he had concluded that there ought to be such a corps in our army, and therefore he had considered it as his duty to submit the proposition to His Majesty, who had approved of it, and it had been since laid before the House of Conmions, and voted by that branch of the legislature. With regard to putting them in the Mutiny Bill, being a part of the army, en- listed regularly as soldiers, like other soldiers, they ought undoubtedly to become subjected to the same law, as the policy of the State had considered it as right that all soldiers should continue in such a state of subordination. At the same time, it was not to be considered as any hardship, since no species of trial, however popular it might be, was, he believed, more fair and omdid than trials by court-martial. He added, that the corps of artificers proposed to be formed, was not only highly useful, but, at the same time, so far from being an additional expense, they would prove a saving, because the difference between getting such a number as heretofore, and having them fonned into a regular coq)s as intended, would render the usual expense less by 2,000^. " Lord Porchcster objected principally to that part of the new establishment which subjected the artificers to the arbitrary punishment of the Master-General of the Ordnance. In one instance they might be reduced for want of skill, of which the Master-General was made the sole judge, to the rank of labourers, and thereby be deprived of one-third of their pay ; and in another, he was also the sole judge of the quantum to which their pay should be reduced in cases of idleness or mis- behaviour. " Lord Carlisle ridiculed the strange reason given for adopt- ing the new project, that it would be a saving of 2,000^. a year. If their lordships were to be governed by such arguments, they would be led into so absurd a matter as the calculation of what 1788.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. tilt! surrender of tlie ri<^hts of the subject was worth per man ; and if the rights and liberties of 600 artificers were worth just 2,000/., they would see that the noble lord valued the rights of every individual exactly at 3/. 10«. each. " Lord Cathcart and I^rd Rawdon were of opinion, that the plan formed by the noble duke would be attended with many considerable military advantages ; and the question being at length j)ut, the clause was carried without a division. The corps now, for the first time, was made legally amenable to the provisions of the Mutiny Act; and, for a few years at least, W!us permitted to go on with its organization and duties without being again noticed or interrupted by the opposition in Parlia- ment."* ' In the protracted debates which occurred in 1788, on the Regency. Mr. Sheridan took occasion, when opposing the measure for reserving the patronage of the royal household, to attack the Minister — Mr. Pitt, and to wing from his how another caustic shaft at the royal military artificers. Mr. Pitt, at some previous time, had charged a right honourable friend of Sheridan's, on quitting office, " with having left a fortress behind him." Sheridan admitted that the accusation was true; "but then," continued he, in a vein of sparkling raillery, " like a coarse, clumsy workman, his right honour- able friend had built his plan in open day, and retired with his friends, who served without pay. • * • Not so the right honourable gentleman over the way. Like a more crafty maion he had collected his materials with greater caution, and worked them up with abundantly more art. Perhaps he had taken the advice of the noble Duke — famous for fortification — and, with the aid of that able engineer, had provided a corps of royal military artificers, and thrown up impregnable ramparts to secure himself and his garrison. Upon this occasion the King's arms doubtless might Ih; seen flying as a banner on the top of his fortress, and powerful indeed must prove the effect of the right honourable gentlenrin's thundering eloiiuence from without, and the support of the royal artitieerg from within, against his political adversaries." —Sheridan's Dramatic Works. Sec Life, p. 138. Rohu's edit., 1848. The last reference to the military artificers in Parliament was made by Mr. Courtenay on the 21st April, 1790, when, moving for a committee to inquire into the expenditure of the public monev by the Duke of Richmond from the 1st .Tanuary, 1784, he stated, among a /ariety of matter, that the corps of which his Grace was the founder, " wt i- neither soldiers nor arti- ficers."— ' Gentleman's Magazine,' part a, 1791), vol. fiO, p. 720. This was followed, in 1794, by Mr. Glenie, who, in a second edition of his 'Observations,' declared that the corps was un(|uestionably a great imposition on the public. With this announcement the party crusade against the royal military artificers terminated, C4 HISTORY OF THE [1787. 1787—1788. Constitution of corps— Master artificers— Officers— Rank and post of the corps— Captains of companies, stations— Allowance to Captains, Adjutants- Recruiting— Labourers— " Richmond's whims "—Progress of recruiting- Articles of Agreement— Corps not to do garrison duty— Scrgeant-nuijors— John Drew— Alexander Spence— Uniform dress- Working dress— Hearts o'pipe-clay — "The Queen's bounty"— Arms, &c. — Distinction of ranks — .lews' wish. The King's authority " for establishing a corps of royal mili- fciry artificers," alluded to in the preceding chapter, wiis con- veyed in a warrant, dated 10th October, 1787, to (Jharles Duke of Richmond. It was to consist of six companies of 1 GO men each. The constitution of each company, and the jjay of its different ranks were fixed as follows : — s. d. 1 Sergeant-major 2 3 n-day 3 Sergeants . . each 1 <» »» 4 Corporals . • each 1 7 1. 2 Drummers Privates — Working-pay, in addi- 12 Carpenters. . tion, not exceeding 'id. 10 Masons . . a-day to each non-com- 10 Hrickiayerg > missioned olficer and 5 Smiths . . ■ > each 0 9 • man for the days ac- 5 Wheelers . tually employed on the 4 Sawyers • works. 8 Miners 2 Painters . 2 Coopers . 2 Collar-makers .. ; t • 30 Labourers . each 0 r> ). The sergeants consisted of a carpenter, a mason, and a smith, who were styled masters ; and the corporals were a master bricklayer and a master wheeler, oi^e foreman of miners and a 1 1787.] ROYAL SAPrERS AND MINERS, m foreman of labourers.' Tlie civil master artificers had the offer of enlisting and being appointed to these ranks. Those who refused were discharged as soon as the military establishment was complete. Officers of the royal engineers were appointed to command the corps. All serving at the particular stations at which the companies were forming were attached to do duty with them. When required to parade with other rej^ments, the corps was directed to take post next on the left of the royal artillery. The officers were to fall in with the corps.* The Duke of Bichmond located the companies at the prin- cipal dockyards or military stations, and ordered the following officers to command them : — Woolwich — Colonel Robert Morse. Chatham — Colonel William Spry. Portsmouth — Colonel John Phipps. Gosport — Lieut.-Colonel James Moncrief. Plymonth — Lieut-Colonel Fred. George Mulcaster. One company was ultimately divided between the islands of Guernsey and Jersey.* The officers above named were the commanding royal en- gineers at the respective stations.* To each was allowed iho ' Thug the higher branches of promotion were reserved to the three first classes of tradesmen, and none but men of the latter trades were promoted to the rank of corporals. This rule, though enforced as much as practicable, was necessarily deviated from in the lapse of a few years for the benefit of the service. " The authority for this was not embodied in the warrant for raising the corps, but conveyed in a letter to the Duke of Richmond, dated 10th October, 1787. With regard to the officers falling in with their companies, it was necessary to issue a special order, as, by a previous warrant of the 25th April, 1787, the royal engineers were to take rank with the royal art 'ery, and to be posted on the right or left of that regiment, according to the dates of their commissions. At Gibraltar, it was the custom of the companies with their officers, to take the right of the artillery; and they were always inserted first in the Governor's states and returns. This was a local arrangement occasioned, probably, on account of the companies being stationary at the fortress. ' The companies at Gibraltar, although similarly constituted, paid, and officered, remained a distinct and separate body until their incorporation with the corps in the year 1 797. ♦ From this arrangement, it sometimes occurred that even a Mujor-Oeneral was ciipUtin of a company. VOIi. I. f 66 HISTORY OF THE [1787. sum of 56Z. per annum for (lefrayinj^ certain incidental items connected with his company ; and a lieutenant of enf'inecrs was appointed adjutant, with an extra allowance of 28. a-day, to assist in conductinpf the drill and in maintaining? discipline. The recruitinpr was carried on by the captivins of com])anies, assisted by seven other officers of engineers, with several trans- fen'cd soldiers of the royal artillery, at Landjruard Fort, Tynemouth, Dover, Guernsey, Edinburgh, Fort George, and Berwick. They > -ere not restrained from putting into operation any measure which seemed to Ije best calculated for obtain- ing recruits. There was no standard as to height fixed ; but labourers were not enlisted over twenty-five years of age, nor any artificer over thirty, unless he had been employed as a mechanic in the Ordnance deptirtment, and known to be an expert workman of good character. All recruits, however, whether previously under the Ordnance or not, were " to be strong able-bodied men, free from all infirmity, and duly qualified for tlieir several trades and occupations." The miners were all got from Cornwall. The bounty given at first was five guineas to each attested recruit ; which, on the 21st November, 1787, was reduced to the usual peace allowance of three guineas. These general instructions for recruiting were soon afterwards * nnu!li altered by the Duke of Bichmond, who was anxious to make the corps as perfect as possible with regard to tradesmen. On the decision of his Grace all the men were afterwards en- listtnl as labourers at Gd. a-day. The Iwunty was continued at three guineas. Growing lads from sixteen to eighteen years of age, not under five feet four inches liig^i, were prefeiTed before all others, and were instructed in the trades most required by the corps. Over eighteen years of age none were taken less than five teet six inches. This was a measure of just precaution, as several men had .already enlisted as artificers, who up«m a fair trial were found to know but little of their craft. The Duke now thought to insure his object by enlisting every man !is a labourer, and after a few months' exp(*rience of his abilities, promoting him " In a letter Iwuring date I9tli Marcli, 1788. 1787.] nOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 67 to be an artificer, or retaining liim as a labourer, until recom- niendod for profemicnt. On promotion to artificers, cacli man received a bonus or reward of two guineas, an additional 3d. a-day jwy, and was distinguished from a lal)ourer by being allowed finer clothing and a gold-laced hat." " I think," wrote his Grace, " that this method, although the slowest, will in the end be the best means of acquiring a good corps of artificers." Whatever may have been the result of this change, it shows that the Duke was interested in the most trifling concerns of the corps ; so much so indeed, that the men were aware of it, and familiarly styled his measures and arrangements " Richmond's whims." Great exertions were made to give effect to the Duke's orders and wishes, particularly at Portsmouth and Plymouth, where the dockyards were to be fortified on a plan aj)proved by his Grace. About three months after the date of the warrant, uj)- wards of 100 men had been enrolled, besides several artificers transferred from the royal artillery to form the nucleus of each company. The growth of the corps was tardy at fii'st and con- tinued dilatory for a year and more ; aft«r which, however, as the prevailing prejudices began to die away, greater success was apparent. As the enlistment of mechanics to work at their trades under military discipUne was quite new to the country, the greatest care was taken to prevent misconception and complaint. The Duke of Kichmond was sensible that both his plans for national defence, and for the establishment of a corps to accomplish them, were sources of suspicion and watchfulness on the part of the Ojjposition in Parliament ; and hence he was cautious, parti- cular, and explanatory, even to indulgence. The recruit was required to sign certain articles of agieement, showing fully his obligations to the service, and those of the public towards him- self. Among the terms was prominently placed his engagement ' For overy labourer promoted, a guinea was grouted to tlie master artificer, either civil or militMy, who had the credit of training hiui, as a compensation for his services and an encouragement to future exertion, This was sunctioned by his (irace in a letter , and enlisted into the 2Uth Foot, Janiia''^ 16, 1750. After a service of 19 years in that regiment, and 14 as sergeart i i the North Hants Militia, he joined the corps at the age of 61!! This is tne j eriod when men usually think t "I s S If I n .1 I fwrii, ./li^S' ^m/;^ ROVAI, BAPPERR AND MTIS'EPS •m. w ,1, . i< WHh iHSued everj' alternate year, I ,11- h . ,ih long skirts, njiUiiff cmllnr, black lioth > - ..ni.v 'jiiinj.^ to the skirts, and I;i}>p».'l8 ai tlv 1, \\iU. till' i-la.sh<'s» on the airtk and pM-ket-h'ilo?. ilh rectangular loojjg, having a button at one ciul 'fiu' buttons were mmilar in ni/f. iii?»torial, iiml . ii«<> alri'july desfTilHHl f>=« Ijein^j- ri'^»iiW' '.u! ftt Gib- He hrf'uhi ft"n>; AiTcwnrn, and ai U'.*'- wrist .-^in.dl ^tock w.! tck leatlior with a false collar atxnit a quarter of an inch. Tlie brecchci? and f white dotii, and tile gaiters of bhick dotli, hifh rs iho kiuHi, and wero secured round ' I 'UD I, ighteeh in nuniher, on the ;. rwis-tintr they weri' steadied by a 'n>!' I'ocked hat, worn trantv Iff irohl \»*^\ H vhiirf tt'A s PS r^k ■ ulbr, iifid trftSfi .'I'l: 'yli ■. iuli .1'' :i liiv . tMit iitid iMinta- * rihiin black ■'t i;;it~. • . . ■ hil with a : 1 ..:'■■■: :i r.iiit; ami i ■. . i . , ■ ; :iiitiifi' li«i' *»« Mid of lifr. N 1 ■ "! Itt« «W(iintr.v I'm- * Meat age, Wi tliv v ■ l«$t fcfi*. "ther during .i« •liueluun' '«i«l> I'ituula of i' ' . ...flioii, hy wiiieli tbey woi ♦i -,i- ,v ;? 1787.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 69 The uniform, which was issued every alternate year, con- sisted of a blue coat with long skirts, rolling collar, black cloth facings, white shalloon I'liing to the skirts, and lappels at the breast ; which, with the slashes on the cuffs and pocket-holes, V ere laced with rectangular loops, having a button at one end of the loop. The buttons were similar in size, material, and device to those already described jis being regimental at Gib- raltar. At the breast frills were worn, and at the wrist small ruffles. The stock was of black leathor with a false collar turned over it about a quarter of an inch. The breeches and waistcoats were of white cloth, and the gaiters of black cloth, which reached as high as the knee, and were secured round the leg by a row of small buttons, eighteen in number, on the outer seam. To prevent ' liom twisting they were steadied by a button at the bend o^ I'le knee. The cocked hat, worn trans- versely, was ornamented with a binding of gold lace, a short red feather, horse-hair rosette, and gold loop and button. The hair wiis clubbed and j)owdered. Plate III. The working dress was a plain white raven duck, or canvas frock, reaching nearly to the ankles, with a rolling collar, and brass buttons down the front ; white duck waistcoat and panta- loons, tongued and buttoned at the bottom, and plain black felt hats.'-' Leatlier stocks and frilled sliirts were also worn. 'I'iie hair was queued but not powdered. Plate IV. Two suits of this dress were furnished to every man annually — each suit lasted six months. They were also provided with a of retiring from active employment and preparing for the end of life. Not so SiH^iice. Ho was still a recruit, hale aiul hearty, and served his country for a fiirtlier period of 21 years! If nature had taken her course, he might have lived to a great age, hut disappointed in his expectation of receiving a sub- lieutenancy in the corps, he committed suicide January 11, 1809, at the age of 83. ' While waiting for the issue of their regimental costume, the men, to ap- pear smart and clean, pipe-clayed their frocks, vests, and pantaloons, and uiarched on Sundays to church as white as snow, and " stiff as buckram." Unavoidably rubbing against each other during the service, the wash being thus set free, filled the sanctuary with clouds of white powder, which gave rise to the playful designation, by which they were known for some time, of " Hearts o'pipe-elay." 70 HISTORY OF THE [1787. pair of serge breeches and a flannel waistcoat. Under what circumstances and on what occasions tliese articles were to be worn, was never determined, and the men were therefore at liberty to dispose of them as they pleased. To distinguish them from the necessary items of the working dress, they were denominated " The Queen's Bounty." The arms of the rank and file were those common to the period — firelocks, pouches and cross belts of buff leather pipe- clayed. The sergeants had pikes, and long narrow thrust- swords — the latter purchased at their own expense : the gripe was steel, with a single gilt guard ; the scabbard was black leather, mounted with a gilt tip, top and boss, and the shoulder belt, with a frog to hold the sword, was pipeclayed like those of the j)rivatcs. The sergeant-majors wore swords and belts the same as the sergeants, but no pikes. The drummers were armed with brass-handled swords, short in the blade, but broader than the sergeants, and black scabbards with brass mounting. All ranks had a square breast-buckle to their belts ; those of the superior ranks were gilt. The distinctions in regard to rank were as follows ; — La- bourers, coarse clothing, yellow tape lace on their coatees and l;^ts. Artificers, clothing of a much finer quality, same kind of tape lacing on their coatees, but gold lace on their hats. Drummers, same clothing as artificers, with this difference — instead of plain yellow tape, they had broad livery lace of a quality like tape, bearing the Ordnance arms of three guns and tlu'ee balls, extending from the collar downwards in parallel stripes. Corporals, same as artificers in every respect, but, in addition, small gold-fringed knots on the shoulders.'" Sergeants, crimson sashes and swords, gold lace on coats, but no knots on shoulders : they woro laced straps only. Seryennt-majors, sashes and swords, gold lace on coatees, bullion epaulettes, and silk velvet facings. "' A yellow silk knot was regimental ; this the corporals were permitted to dispose of for a pild-friiigod knot. In most of the companies the corporals wore knots on each slionlder. lu tliu Woolwicii coinpuny, one only was worn on tilt' right shoulder. 1788.] HOYAL SAPPERS AND MINEllS. fl' In the working dress there was no apparent distinction be- tween the labourers, artificers, and drummers. The corporals and sergeants were distinguished by black hats of the same shape as the j)rivates, with a gold-lace band, about an inch broad, around the bottom of the pole, and their frocks, &c., were finer in fabric and whiter in colour. The sergeant-majors always appeared in uniform, for which purpose they were allowed a complete suit annually. It may not be amiss to notice, in connection with the dress of the corps, an interesting offer that was made to the companies at Gibraltar, on the change of their uniform from red and yellow to blue and black. At the fortress the companies were much esteemed for their good conduct and civility, and the best understanding existed between them and the inhabitants. This feeling of respect was particularly shared by the Jews, who desired to express it in a manner that would be more convincing than a mere verbal assurance. On the new clothing arriving at the Rock, the Jews, regarding the alteration with satisfaction, agreed among themselves to provide for the companies, as a mark of their regard, whatever gold lace might be required for the clothing, free of cost, to be worn in place of the yellow tape ; but it need hardly be mentioned, that the desired devia- tions of this kind people from the established patterns of the corps could not be permitted. 78 HISTOllY OF TUE [1780. 1789—1792. Appointment of Quartermaster and Colonel-Commaudant— Distribution of C(>rj)s, Captains of companies— Jealousy and ill-feeling of the civil artificers — Hiot at Plymouth — Its casualties — Recruits wrecked on passage to Gibral- tar^— Song, " Bay of Biscay, O !" — Defence of the Tower of London against the Jacobins — Uagshot-heath encampment — Alterations in the uniform and working dress. Hkketofork the captains of the difterent companies communi- cated with the Master-General or his secretary direct This led to much inconvenience, and tended to establish a distinc- tiveness of character and position for each company, that was neither contemplated nor desired. To prevent its continuance, the Duke of Kichmond, on the 13th January, appointed Lieu- tenant William. George Phipps, royal engineers, quartermaster to the corps ; and on the 12th February, directed the chief royal engineer, Major-General Sir William Green, Bart. — who originated the companies at Gibraltar, and served with them at the fortress until November 1786 — to be Colonel-Com- mandant. Tlie former attended to all matters connected with the clothing, &c., and to the latter all the correspoiidence con- cerning the difterent companies was addressed. The first complete returns of the corps whicli have yet been found occur in the month of February, immediately after Sir A\'illiam Green's appointment. From these returns and other documents, the following information relative to the distribu- tion of the corps, the strength of the diflbrent companies, and the names of the captains, have been collected, viz. : — 1789.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 73 StreriKth iif Company. Captains. Woolwich . . 47 . • Colonel liobert Morse. Chatham . . 47 . . Colonel William Spry. Portsmouth . . 72 . . Lieut-Colonel Fref peace ; but roused at length to retaliate, they sought satisfaction in the ordinary way by fighting. Overpowered, however, by numbers, they were very severely treated and driven into barracks, where they remained for two or three hours. At last, breaking this self-imposed restraint, they again appeared in the town, having taken the precaution to prepare themselves with pick-handles and short sticks concealed about their persons, to resist any attempt at violence on the part of the civilians ; and the better to cope with their opponents, they walked into the streets, when occasion required, in small parties or sections ; which, however, had the unfortunate semblance of defiance, and excited the sailors and dockmen to renew their insolence. Thus aggravated, the military artificers fell upon the civilians 1789.] UOYAL SAPPERS AND MTNEPvS. 75 and drove tliem pell-incll through the town. Intcllifjcnco of tlio resumed atTray soon spread, and numbers of holiday folk joined the ranks of the rabble. Armed with bludgeons, staves, and broom-handles, the civilians paraded the streets, and find- ing a small party of the military artificers refreshing them- selves at an inn, the rabble entered and furiously attacked them. Against such overwhelming odds the little party could not hold up, and being easily mastered, they were forcibly ejected from the house and pursued to the barracks. What had happened was, as yet, merely a series of individual or sectional encounters — the preliminaries to something more serious. Galled by a second reverse, the military artificers now mustered in full strength, together with their non-commis- sioned officers, and sallied into the street, brandishing brooms, ])ick-handles, clumps of wood, and various other unmilitary weapons. Some marines and a few other soldiers, sympa- thizing with the company, joined in the unhappy broil. By this time the civilians and sailors were also considerably strengthened, and every moment crowds were pouring in to swell the hostile mob. The instant the two parties came in sight the conflict re- commenced. Closely and warmly it continued for about an hour, when the civilians gave way, running in all directions from the field and leaving the military victors. The mob, soon rallied, and assembled more numerous than before, the ffovernment ground Ijetwcen Cumberland and St. on George's Squares, to make another and a final struggle for the ascendancy. Thither the military artificers with their j)artisans hurried. Nothing dismayed by the numbers col- lected to oppose them, they resumed the combat Pokers, bars of iron, and bludgeons were used with merciless fury ; stones of all sizes, broken bottles, and crockery-ware were thrown, and weapons even were pressed into the riot. The s"?ne that en- sued was frightful, and the civilians continued the contest with much rancour and obstinacy. They were routed once, but suddenly turning, they djished at the soldiers again with a frenzy that deserved a better result. Tlie effort exhausted 7fi IIISTOUY OF THE 11701. them ; the spirit of the soldiers was stirred afresh, and, pluiigiiifj amoiifj the enraged but feeble throng, they spared none that had the daring to confront them. Beaten at every point by a handful of soldiers, the civilians faced alx)ut, and retreated pre- r/ipitatcly from the contest by the nearest avenues. The military artificers and soldiers, flushed with success, would have pursued them, and repaid their insolence in a manner not soon to be forgotten ; but by the activity of Captain Jonathan Passing- ham, of tlie 38th Uegiment, who paraded the town with the main guard from the lines, the intention was frustrated. The conflict lasted several hours, and many of each jiarty were left for dead. Several, however, soon recovered, and it was then found that the casualties were — one military artificer killed, and two severely wounded ; and on the side of the sailors and dock men, one killed, two mortally wounded who died, and three severely wounded.' Of the less serious wounds and accidents, from which very few escaped, no notice appears to have been taken. For three days the company was confined to barracks by order of the Commandant, to allay the popular excitement. But whatever may be thought of the part taken by the niilitary artificers in this riot, certain it is that it taught the dock work- men a good lesson, and had the effect of repressing their in- sults and annoyances, and making their future demeanour more pacific and respectful. Several recruits having enlisted in Scotland for the com- j)anics at Gibraltar, passfige was provided for them on board a ship— the name of which cannot be confidently traced — and they landed or "joined" at the fortress on the 16th April, 1791. When in the Bay of Biscay the vessel encountered a white squall, accompanied by terrific thunder and lightning, which carried away her main and foremasts. Each moment, indeed, her final plunge was expected, and the passengers and crew, clinging to spars and boxes, shreds of sails, and fragments of the dismantled bulwarks, as the last and only chance for ' 'Public Advertiser,' .luiie lltli, I7t»>.A, T SAPPEIiS AK© MINEim. 7'J • '«# 4*i!*rn 1 12 feut in leujrth, a!«)iit i\ feet wide, Tfcni whcnct' comnfiiced a tnniiiijr 22 incbc; • n- i jiiijh, wklvh dtrckhcd iiudor flie rodoubt. A . fisiiijj ot" 0 feet w.j-t made f(/r tho chaniber, into vih\c]. :: wowlen box. of {jimpowdiT lined with pitched canva.s. jUiiutity of powder used wae 72 lbs., and was exploded by ... u.s of n i^'cvidiui trough coctaiiiing a caav*. pipe lilifd with ..uwrici'. \V:.^' i.ivd. the wholo rodouht wai» Ijfn-d up alxnit I fmginctits, dust, and «mf»ke, Ip^.viDjr » .farly 40 foet m!.!,- ,ttk1 ':?'» foot 1 ^^if ind cnlk-'d forth tht' sjmju- ■Uiesscd it, and the t <» of Kioimunid ffpw. tht frsl Jifld ■'" of the railitr.: V '' to tiifir respcv;... 4<' kfit, and ii i lariT'^ <'hasiii hi ta;,oou8 .1 piraisics 0' ' >ii,rdc('4 ill ployed. 1 . 8th Aweusf ThI? jear hat. IV dr»... . and yellow woiW' an forxnoriy. It \« privateH' lace. ^^ were now v .>ni (luality i>.* th>- , yeflv i'o .. al<*r«d. for the i< (■(jUar wn,-< V I I inted , 7«v *vi: 'M. 1792. J ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 79 first gallery was driven 112 feet in length, about 3 feet wide, and 3.^ feet high, from whence commenced a turning 22 inches wide and 3 feet high, which stretched under the redoubt. A second turning of G feet was made for the chamber, into which WHS ])ut a wooden box of gunpowder lined with pitched canvas. The quantity of powder used was 72 lbs., and was exploded by means of a wooden trough containing a canvas pij)e filled with powder. When fired, the whole redoubt was lifted up about 40 feet, and disappeared in fragments, dust, and smoke, leaving a large chasm where it stood, nearly 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep. It was a magnificent sight, and called forth the spon- taneous acclamations of the throng that witnessed it, and the praises of the Duke of Richmond.^ These were the first field fiervices in which any of the military artificers had been em- ployed. They returned to their respective stations about the 8th August.'' This year the black felt round hat superseded the cocked hat. The drummers' livery lace was a mixture of black, red, and yellow worsted — the Ordnance device was not woven in it as formerly. It was sewn on the coats in the same style as tlie privates' lace, ^^'^orstcd wings of the three colours intermixed were now worn by the drummers for the first time. The quality of the cloth in all ranks was somewhat deteriorated this y(!ar. Plate V. To suit tht; seasons tlie working dress wjis considerably altered. In summer a plain raven duck jacket was substituted for the long frock of 17^7. The duck waistcoat tor summer was abolished. In winter a blue jacket with black cufts and collar was worn, precisely similar in cut and make to the duck " For full inforinatiou coneeniiug these expL'rimental operations and nia- ncDiivros.seetlie ' I'ulilic Advertiser' for .July !)th, Auf!ust "tli.and AiifTiist lOtli, l792. * To show how interested and considerate the Duke of Richmond was, in oven trivial matters connected with the corps, it may be mentioned that on tlie 28th Septenilier, IT'.ii, he ordered that six married private labourers, who bad been at lingshot Camii under his command, should each be paid half-a-RuiMia as a donation for the inconvenieuce and expense they were subjected to iu 'icing absent from their families. so HISTORY OF THE [1792. jacket. With this jacket a flannel waistcoat was worn, and serge trowsers or pantaloons of the same form or style as the original pantaloons. To the "■ Queen's Bounty," consisting of a pair of serge breeches and en under serge waistcoat, was added a second serge waistcoat. The shirts were now worn quite plain in front ; the hair contini ed to be queued ; and the sergeants and corporals to be undistinguished in rank in the working dress. Plate VI. HI) [1792. !■'? waist^xMkt ■n, anil :••■■ ,!atlU; i'itfUi Vf ■;■, ^ tllO ^!l^ vu i! Bonnty," oongir,tiiiu of :•■ v\\r,^r .,f>i;^t! vvai«v<-.>;it. was Ml queued; and the . -^Uii^uitihud ni rank in Uu> - ■ 1793. ,-),',. ■•,■'■■■ War cfi Fl Fl de fo Loi ,. ' ■ , . hea the ami ■'■ ■ Cor pub C0-( ene Fre „■ - - :. " . ' • - . " ": 1 dec ' ' - , : - - . mil wa wh car ■ , ■ ■ ' • tai wil by " ■•- an • th{ we • ho 1793.] IIOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 81 1793. War with France — Artificers demanded for foreign service— Consequent effects — Detachment to West Indies — Fever at Antigna — Detachment to Flanders — Siege of Valenciennes — Waterdown Camp — lieinforcement to Flanders — Siege of Dunkirk — Nieuport — Another reinforcement lo Flan- ders— Toulon — Private Samuel Myers at Fort Mulgrave — Formation of four companies for service abroad — Kstablishment and strength of corps. Louis XVI. having been dragged to the scaffold and be- headed, the event became the subject of grave consideration in the British Cabinet, resulting in the dismissal of the French ambassador in London, and in the declaration of war by the Convention against Great Britain, Immediately following this publication of hostilities, British troops were sent to Holland to co-operate with those of the Stadtholder against the common enemy, as well to the West Indies for the reduction of the French settlements there. The new position into which England was thrown by the declaration of war, gave prominence to a feature in the royal military artificers, which had almost been lost sight of; — that was, the liability of the men to serve in any part of the world wherever their services might be required. Although every care was taken to prevent misconception on this point, by ob- taining from every recruit a signed agreement, expressive of his willingness to comply with this condition, still, it was regarded by all, as a mere formal aiTangement, never to be acted upon ; and in this notion they were afterwards strengthened by the fact, that when candidates were desired for service at Gibraltar, none were sent there unless with their own free consent. Now, however, their forgotten agreements were shown to be binding, VOL. I. O 82 HISTORY OF TlIK fI79;J. and, accordin; sprunfj;. Tt) these underground manduivres and the promptitude and gal- lantry of the detachment of artificers and line workmen in preventing the exjdosion of the enemy's mines, the fall of Valenciennes was chiefly indebted. It capitulated on the 28th of July. Sir James Murray, in a despatch, dated 2(Uh July, 1793, thus writes — " A detiichment of the company of artificere, under CapUiin Sutherland, accompanied the column to the ravelin of the hornwork, and performed the duty allotted to them with great activity and resolution." One labourer — private Robert Freeman — was killed.'' General Dundas, about this ])eriod, introduced the system of drill so long distinguished by his name ; and to test its efficiency a camp was formed on the Ist of July, at Waterdown, under the Duke of Richmond. The troo])s, both horse and foot, numbered 7,()0(). To this camp was attached, by the Duke's order, four non-commissioned oflicers, tliirty-six privates, and one drummer of the military artificers, under Lieutenant George Bridges, R.E., who took with them a jjrojjortion of field implements and artificers' tools. For three weeks, the season being exceedingly fine, the drill was briskly carried on ; but was succeeded by an interval of idleness and discomfort occa- sioned by heavy and continuous rji n. On the 4th of August, the troops moved to Ashdown lorest, where they manauvred for a week and finally marched to Hrighton : there they drilled for a fortnight, producing some grand military displays in the presence of the Prince of V^'ales, and returned to their stations on the 22nd of August In the purely military evolutions of the camp the artificers took no part ; but when the troops were moving they always preceded them to construct temporary bridges over the rivulets and ditches that intercepted the march, and to cut away obstacles to afford an easier road for the ' ' Loudou Guzetlu ExtraorUiuary,' August 1, I7U3. ■171»3. 1703.] ROYAL HAPPKIiM AND M1NF.K8. 80 pusaage of tlic artillery. T\\e matorinls for t\w bridges were cut on the spot, forinod into faggots, and hastily thrown over tlie streams in view of the troops. At Brighton, the party was daily occui)'(h1 in bridge-making, and became very ex})ert in that description of field service." A few days i)revious to the dispersion of the camp, the Duke of Richmond ordered another selection of four non-commissioned officers and ninety-ciglit artificers and labouriTs, to be made from the Knglisli companies to reinforce the corps in Flanders ; and in order tliat the party should be formed of the most etticient men, his (jrace desired as many as could be spared to be taken for the service from the Brigliton detachment. To press as lightly as possible upon individual interests, volun- teering was freely allowed, and thi; remainder were obtained by casting lots. The companies at Woolwich, Portsmouth, and tiosport, were also required to provide their (juoUi ; and being collected at liead-quarters, they sailed late in August, and in a few days arrived at Ostend. With this reinforcement, the niiliUiry artificers in the Low Countries amounted to 7 non- commissioned officers, 41 artificers, 104 labourers, and 1 drummer ; total 153. Innnediately on landing, they were marched to join the com- pany then before Dunkirk, and were employed in the operations for the reduction of that fortress until the 7th of Sei)tember, when tlie Duke of York was compelled to abandon his position, ( )n returning to the Artillery Park, the artificers exerted them- ^ During the formation of one of the bridges, Mrs. Fiizliirbert (wlio lind paid a visit to the IVuice of Wales at Brighton) was riding by alone. Sergeant .lohn Johnston, who was in charge of the party, recognizing the favonrite, very politely touched his cap in compliment to her, and she immediately pulled up. After asking a variety of ({uestions concerning the work, she praised the men for their exertions, and desired that each sbouUt receive an extra day's pay. For this purpose she gave the sergeant sufficient money, and taking a note of liis name, commended him for his civility ami promised to remember him. Very shortly after lie received the ofl'er of an eusigucy in a regiment in the West Indies, and sailing thither in November, received his commission iu the 'i9th Foot, 1st May, 1791!. It was supposed that Mrs. Filzherbert, true to her promise, had exerted her inHuence and obtained this appointment for him. George Koss, the other sergeant present with the party, was commissioned as Lieutenant in the tlarnarvon Militia, iu October, 1796. 86 HISTORY OF THE [1793. selves in spiking all the guns that could not bo carried with the army and in disabling their carriages, as well as in throwing about 500 barrels of gunpowdev into the river and destroying nearly all the intrenching tools. In this siege, three artificers were killed — privates William Drummond, John Fairbaim, and John Wilson ; and one was missing — private Thomas Howell ; but of the nuinber wounded, no record can be found. Colonel Moncrief, the chief engineer, was dangerously wounded in re- pulsing a sortie by the enemy on the 6th of September, and died a few days after at Ostend, where he was interred under the flagstaff by some of his own comjv'ny. A portion of the corps was employed in October in the defence of Nieuport, but in what manner cannot now be ascer- tained. Indeed, from the paucity of information, either verbal or documentary, rendering it impracticable to trace, with any- thing like distinctness, the services and mover, lents of the military artificers during the remainder of this and the s'lbse- quent campaigns in the Low Countries, unsatisfactory gaps will necessarily appear in this narrative at times, when the most interesting details might have been expected. Whilst the siege of Nieuport was progressing, Sir Charlep Grey with his expedition arrived at Ostend, and learning the critical situation of the garrison detennined to relieve it ; but no sooner had he made arrangements for doing so, than the enemy retired and left the fortress and the field in quiet possession of the allies. l"o Sir Charles Grey's force was attached 2 non- commissioned officers and 28 artificers, under Colonel Elias Durnford, royal engineers, drafted from England, with "hich number the corps in Flanders was augmented to 182 of all ranks. Winter setting in soon after, and the si.ife in the Low (Jountries being suspended for the season, a company was re- called from thence, and, on arrival at Spithead, sailed with the fleet for active service in the West Indies. In September, a detachment of 1 sergoant — Edward Smith — 2 corjjorals, and about 20 privates, were selected from (Captain Nepoan's company at Gibraltar, and s.ilcd with the armament under General O'llara for Toulon tu board ll.M. ships 793. 1703. ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 87 ' Eginont ' and ' Terrible.' The officers of engineers with the party were Captain Njpean and Lieutenant De Butts. On landing, the men were detached in twos and threes to the different points of defence around Toulon ; and their duties consisted in directing, under the general superintendence of their officers, the several working parties employed in con- structing the batteries, &c. In the various accions and opera- tions at this place, the detachment was inore or less engaged, and " all were most zealous, active, and distinguished ii. their several capacities." Seme were wounded ; and In the desperate defence of I'ort Mulgrave, three were killed. At this fort, private Samuel Myers, who had previously served at the siege of Gibraltar, was conspicuous in his exer- tions under Lieutenant John Duncan, royal artillery, assistant engineer. At one of the guns all the artillerymen were either killed or disabled, for the post was a dangerous one ; and the gun was consecjuently silent, though in a position to do much service. Observing this, Myers, having given general instruc- tions to those who were under him as to the manner in which they were to perform their work, repaired with some volunteers to the battery and manned the gun. For a considerable time he laid and fired it himself with a precision and effect that checked the fierceness of the enemy's cannonade, and attracted the notice of General Dundas, Highly ai)proving of the zeal iind gallantry of the self-constituted gunner, the General made him a corporal on the spot, and would have honoured him with a higher rank, only it was found that tl.o custom of the corps did not adn\it of this distinction being conferred. Througliout the remaining period of the defence, Myers divided his attention between this gun and the works, attending to both with an ardour and fearlessness that gained him much praise. Early ni tiie next year ^e was killed in (,'orsica. Two t)f the English companies out of six having already been sent abroad, and the nature of our relations with France rcn- * Private .Insliua Cook, of the Woolwich coiiipuny, was sent to Touldu as I' (k'lly to Colonel D'Auliaut, royal engineers, anil served in that capacity in Toulou and Corsica until the Colonel returned with him to Kugluud. 88 HISTORY OF THE [1793. dering it highly probable that more would be demanded, the Duke of Richmond represented to his Majesty the benefit that would result to the service, if a corps of artificers and labourers were formed expressly for employment abroad. His Grace the more readily recommended this measure, as the various stations from which detachments were sent were compelled to hire civil tradesmen to supply their places, at wages considerably higher than the estimates warranted ; and whilst it checked improve- ment in the labourers, which lis Grace was anxious to see developed, it also crippled, in soii.e degree, the general efficiency of the companies. Concurring, therefore, in his Grace's pro- position. His Majesty granted a warrant under date the lltb September, 1793, for raising a corps of royal military artificeis and labourers, to consist of four companies and to .be distributed as follows : — Flauders . . 2 companies West Indies . . 1 Upper Canada . 1 The command and composition of the companies were to be similar in every respect to the English companies ; they were to be stationary in the countries where they were appointed to serve ; and the men were to receive the like advantages in pay, allowances, and clothing. A distinct position would seem to have been given to these foreign companies by the warrant, but they nevertheless, though designated a corps, were compre- hended with the English companies in one united body, and depended upon the latter companies for the maintenant of their strength and tfficiency. Such, however, it may be ob- served, was not the case with the companies at (Gibraltar, which yet remained a separate and inde))endent body, though differing from the home and foreign companies only in non-essentials of a local character. The warrant just alluded to does not appear to have been carried out in the manner intended. Instead of sending a rein- forcement to Flanders to complete the companies there to the authorized establishment, one company was withdrawn from thence ajid sent to the West Indies ; while tis regarded the 1703.] ROYAL SArP^i?S AND MINERS. 69- latter station, in addition to the company ordered, a party also embarked with it, fonning, with the detachment already in those islands, the nucleus of a socond company. The total number of artificers and labourers in Flanders, after this change, was 82 of all ranks, and in the West Indies 126. On what ground this reversionary alteration was adopted is not precisely known ; but it may reasonably be assigned to the pressing appeals from the West Indies for more men, and the inactive position of affairs in the Low Countries permitting it to be effected without detriment to the service. The company for Canada wa.s never embodied, though the idea of forroiag it was cherished until December 1798, when it was abandoned. At the end of the year the establishment and strength of the corps were as under : — Home companies . Foreign companies . tiOO 400 Total . . Strength .... . 1000 establiehment . 588 Wanting to complete . 412 00 lll«TOUY OF Tin: fI794. 1794—171)5. Working dress — Company sails for West Indius — Martiiiiciiie — Spirited con- duct of a detachment there — Giiadaloupe — Mortality — Toulon — Flanders— Ueinforcemeiit to company there — Return of the company — Works at Gravesend — Irregularities in the corps — Causes — Uedeemiug (lualities — Appointment of Kegimental Adjutant and Sergeant-major — Consequences- Woolwich becomes the head-quarters — Alteration in working dress. This year the working dress of the corps was considerably mrdified. Tlie raven-duck frock was succeeded by a plain round blue jacket for winter, and a raven-duck jacket for summer. The colour of the working hat was changed for the privates from black to white ; and the corporals and sergeants wore distinguished from the inferior ranks by a baiid of gold lace round the pole of the hat at the bottom. See Plate VI. The company frotn Flanders under Colonel Elias Durnford, royal engineers, intended for service in the West Indies, rendez- voused for a time at Spithead. While there, every care was taken to make it as efficient for active duty as possible ; and several men wlio were suffering from the fatigues of the sieges of Dunkirk and Nieuport, w^re accordingly re-embarked and their places supplied by others from the Portsmouth and Gosport companies. After being provided witli the necessary field equipment, the conijKiny sailed with the fleet from Spithead on the 3rtl Nokcmber, 1793, and arrived at Barbadoes the Gth January, 1794. Its strength on landing was ninety-four of all ranks, including its sergeant-major — Matthew Iloey.' ' Served seven years in the Royal Marines. Eulisted in the corps April 28, 1788, and was present in almost every action and capture which took place in the West Indies up to the year of his decease, which occurred at Harbadocs, July 14, 1810. Few uon-coinmissioned officers had a more stirring career, or 1794.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 01 From Barbadtws the company proceeded with the expedition under General Sir Charles Grey and Admiral Sir John Jervis to Martinique ; and having landed, commenced and completed, (luring the night of the 10th February, the erection of the re- quired batteries on Mount Matherine against Pigeon Island. On the surrender of this island on the morning of the 11th, a portion of the company, under Lieutenants Fletcher and Durn- ford, royal engineers, was formed in line with a brigade of the royal artillery and a part of the 70th regiment, to protect the stores then landing, and to support the left of the army in the attack upon the heights of Souririe. The post was soon carried ; and the entire company subsequently participated very essen- tially in the siege of Fort Boiu-bon. After a month's unceasing exertion before that fort, it was captured on the 25th March, and Martinique then became the prize of Britain. In noticing the services of the company. Sir Charles Grey, in his despatch of 25th March, writes : — " Colonel Durnford, with the corps of engineers, have also a claim to my warmest approbation for their exertions in placing and constructing the batteries." The casualties were one killed — private William Simpson, on the 11th February at Pigeon Island — and three wounded.' After the successful attack on Souririe, corporal James Kerr of the royal military artificers, and a detachment of the com- j)auy under his orders, were employed on field duty at noon-day in front of the army. A very superior force of the enemy attempted to surprise them, but as soon as they perceived their danger, they retired and defended thems<;lves in so steady, spirited, and soldierlike a manner, as to command the admira- tion of many oflScers and others. Nearly the whole of the company were subsequently em- greater chances, by his prizes, employments, and successful speculatiuus, of uci]uiring wealth. Much he gained and much he spent. lie had his horses and his servants. Costly ornaments he wore with eastern profusion, and the hilt of his rapier, and the mountings of his scabbard, were of silver. Indeed it requires a couplet from Pope to do him anything like justice. " A radiant baldrick o'er his shoulders tied Sustain'd the sword that glitter'd at his side." ' ' London Gazette Extraordinary,' April 17th and 2'2nd, 1794. !)2 HISTORY OF THE [1794. l)loyed in the reduction of the Islands of St. Lucia and Guada- loupe ; but what services were rendered by them in those captures have not been recorded. Sir Charles Grey, having succeeded in the enterprise with which he was intrusted, left Major-General Dundas in command at Guadaloupe and made arrangements to return home. The fever peculiar to the country, soon afterwards made its appear- ance in the island and the General died. Taking advantiige of this event and the daily increasing sickness, the French rose against the British and retook Fort Fleur d'Epee. Sir Charles Grey, hearing of the disaster and anticipating its consequences, returned with all haste to Guadaloupe and resumed the com- mand of the troops. At this time the company was divided into almost equal proportions at each of the subjugated islands, to assist in carrying on the various works. Thirty-one non- commissioned officers and men had been left at Guadaloupe on its capture under Lieutenants Dowse and Durnford, royal engineers ; but at the period of the outbreak only twenty-one men were present, ten having already died of the fever. At Guadaloupe the miUtary artihcers were employed in the repairs of magazines and barracks, and in the construction of field works at Basseterre : subsequently they superintended the erection of batteries, &c., against Point a Pitre in the endea- vours to recover Grandeterre ; but as all attempts to regain this branch of the island were now abandoned, the detachment retreated to Berville with the army for the purpose of pre- venting Basseterre falling into the hands of the enemy, llere the artificers were engaged in various works for the defence of the camp, and shared in repulsing the three attacks made on the j)osition in September and October. By climate, fiitigue, and privation, their numbers gradually dwindled away ; and when the ])()st was captured on the 7th October, only ten men were living. Six of these were taken prisoners,-' with Lieutenant Durnford of ^ Privates William Burrcll, John Clark, Abraham Mayhead, liobert Tor- riiice, William Fleming, and Thomas Wagg. Four of the number soon died ; uud the two first, on being released, joined the remnant of the company at ijt. Domingo on the 18th April, 1796. 1794.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 93 the enfyinccrs ; and the other four, under Lieutenant Evatt, R.E., served at the defence of Fort Matilda from the 14th October to the 10th December, the date of its evacuation.^ During that protracted struggle, the services of these four men, especially sergeant John Morris and private Samuel Bowes, were found to be particularly useful in every respect. Such was the opinion of Lieutenant Evatt, who, fifty years after, also afforded a general testimony to the merits of the company, by stating that '' wherever their services were required they were ever con- spicuously forward." The yellow fever continued its ravages throughout the year with frightful violence, and carried off more than half of the company. In May the sickness was very general among the artificers. That month twenty-five died ; and of the survivors, very few were found sufficiently efifective for the service of the works. In June, the party at St. Lucia, which so far had escaj)ed the prevailing scourge, was removed to Martinique to hasten the restoration of Fort Bourbon, But little advantage, however, was obtained by this arrangement, as nearly the whole of the men were immediately seized by the sickness. At the close of the year sixty-five non-commissioned officers and privates had died ; of whom forty-two were at Martinique and twenty-three at Guadaloupe ; as also Colonel Dumford, Captain Chilcot, and Lieutenants Dowse and Lawson of the royal engineers. The strength of the company was now reduced to twenty-six ox all ranks, including the prisoners of war, but the effijctives of this number did not exceed ten. Toulon was evacuated in the middle of December, 1793, and the remnant of the army employed there soon afterwards landed in Corsica. With this force the detachment of military artificers shared in the various actions and sieges of that island, pjirticularly at San Fiorenzo, Bastia, Ajaccio, and Calvi. In directing the construction of the required works and batteries, more especially at the lengthened siege of Calvi, their services were highly spoken of by their officei-s and the assistant engineers under whose instructions they for the most part * 'London Gazette,' 13751. lu- 14 February, 1795. 94 HISTORY OP THE [1795. acted ; and though so few in number, they were considered by the army to be most useful and valuable soldiers.* Most of them were killed at San Fiorenzo and Calvi, and the rest were wounded ; of whom two privates only survived. These two men, previously to the evacuation of Corsica in October, 1 796, were present at the capture of the Island of Elba, and in January, 1797, returned with Lieutenant De Butts, royal engineers, to Gibraltar. Hostilities were resumed in Flanders as soon as the severity of the winter had subsided. To compel the French to evacuate Flanders was now the purpose of the allied commanders. To this end, on the 16th May, the whole force made a forward movement. The column under the Duke of York, to which the company of artificers was attached, marched to Liinnoy and then to Roubaix driving the enemy before it. On the 18th May the French, making a determined stand, hotly pressed the British in front and rear by an overwhelming force, and obliged his Royal Highness to resort to the daring alternative of retreating through the enemy's line, which he accomplished, but with great loss. In this action the artificers had four wounded, one missing — private John Smart — and seven taken prisoners." The Earl of Moira being appointed to command a corps intended to act on the offensive against France, one sergeant, one corporal, twenty-one artificers, and eight labourers of the hom.e companies were selected to accompany it. Early in January the detachment was forwarded to Southampton and there encamped for several months, drilling with the troops. Ultimately the destination of the expedition was changed, and his lordship was directed to co-operate with the Duke of York. ' Lieutenant John Duncan, royal artillery, who was employed as assistant engineer in the sieges of Toulon and Corsica, " often spoke," writes Lieutenant- General Birch, of the royal engineers, under date 22nd August, 1848, " with the very utmost enthusiasm of the conduct of the royal military artificers in these operations, and would delight to dwell in describing their conduct as being fine, brave, and eniluriug." ° Privates Alexander Williamson, Archibald Douglas, Alexander Stewart. Andrew Lindsay, David Morton, George Horn, and John Bristo. 1795.] ROYAL aAPPRR8 AND MINERS. 95 The armament forthwith embarked, and sailing for Ostend, landed on the 26th .Tune. After a march of more than thirty days, executed with cheerful resignation, the Earl of Moira effected a junction with the Duke of York's column at a time when, from the precarious situation of his Royal Highness, an addition to his resources was imjieratively needed. The detach- ment of artificers with his lordship now joined Captain Mann's company, the strength of which, since the opening of the winter of the previous year, had been reduced by deaths from eighty- two to seventy. With the present increase the total of the corps in Holland amounted to 101 of all ranks ; but of this number, many were no longer equal to the fatigues of a cam- ])aign owing to the diseases contracted by them, from unavoid- able exposure, during a season of unusual inclemency ; and several suffering from incurable frostbites were placed in the cjitegory of wounded men. On the 12th M,ay, 1795, the above company, transferred to the command of Ciptain Johnson of the engineers, arrived at Woolwich. Its stre* gth was eighty-six, including its sergeant- major. Being no longer required for foreign duty, the men were distributed among the Portsmouth and Gosport companies and the Guernsey and Jersey half companies. Twelve were left at Lisle sick and prisoners of war : three of theni died, seven re- turned to England at different periods and the other two — Private George Horn and John Bristo — continued to be recorded as prisoners until February, 1797 ; when, not having rejoined their corps, they were struck off" the strength. By the reduc- tion of the Flanders company the establishment of the corps was diminished from 1,000 to 800 of all ranks. About this period, a detachment of one sergeant, thirty-three carpenters, and two drummers, under (^'aptain C. Holloway, royal engineers, was sent to Gravesend to make various repairs and additions to the defences on the shores of the Thames, as the state of European politics and our unsettled relations with France rendered these precautionary measures absolutely indispensable. They were picked men, of good qualification ; and to distin- guish them from the corps employee at Woolwich, Purflect, and 9« HISTORY OF THK [1796. Chatham, were permitted to wear a very long fantastic feather of black, topped with crimson. Tilbury Fort and the Block- house at Gravesend were thoroughly repaired by this detach- ment, and the requisite arrangements and ap])liances for establishing a communication across the Thames, by means of barges for the passage of an army, were effected by them. They also constructed two batteries for four 24-pounder8 each, with temporary wooden barracks for artillerymen at Shorn- mead and Hop-Point, below Gravesend. These services were barely finished when thirty of the detachment were recalled to join the expeditions for St. Domingo and the Caribbee Islands. The party that remained, was shortly afterwards increased to one sergeant and fifteen carpenters. Detachments of varied strength were also employed in strengthening the defences on the coast of Sussex, and in repairing the castles at Hurst, Cowes, and Yarmouth. Drunkenness and irregularity were now very prevalent in the corps. Many of the men, from their abandoned habits, were insensible either to advice or punishment : whilst others, whose moral conduct could not be reproached, were negligent of that proper respect for personal cleanliness and appearance which is one of the first considerations of a soldier in every well-regulated regiment In some degree to check these evils, a few of the most incorrigible among the labourers were dis- missed from the coq)s, or were either turned over to the navy or sent to the West Indies. But even these severe but necessary measures failed to produce that wholesome impression on the habitual delinquents, which it was reasonable to anticipate would be the result. The first symptoms of disorder in the conduct of the men appeared when they found they were liable to be sent abroad if occasion required their services. Led by their constitution and employment to consider themselves permanently settled, they were quite unprepared for any innovation which had a ten- dency to subvert their position or to interrupt the advancement of their individual interests. The married men particularly received it with unequivocal dissatisfaction. UnwiHing to sub- 1708.] ROYAL SAPPEIIS AND MINERS. 07 init to the cliaii' cii^y chance of preventing the increase of irregularity, and of permanently im])roving the character and condition of the corps. At each of the stations the exi)eriment was now in partial operation, but, sinniltaneously witli this judicious effort, another measure had been efi'ected which promised to be of material advantage in bringing about the desired change. This was the aj)pointment, on the loth jNIay, of Lieutenant •fohn Rowley of the royal engineers, to be Regimental Adjutant to the corps. To each company, from its formation, an adjutant had been and con- tinued to be attached ; who, however, from the paramount importance of the works and other circumstances, was too engrossed by his attention to professional duties and details to be of much service to his company. The Regimental Adjutant was stationed at Woolwich, and through him was carried on all the correspondence of the corjjs. His office, however, was at Westminster. To assist him, therefore, company sergeant- major Anthony Ilaig, who was iin excellent drill-master and a talented non-connnissioned officer, was promoted to be regi- ITD.kI HOYAL SAI'PEIJS AMJ MINRIIS. »9 mental scrj^cant-nmjor on tlio Staff iit Woolwich with tho pay of i\8. a-day. Tiitvo appointnioiits wcro inuiicdiatoly followod hy an altera- tion in the system of recruitiiif,' as conducted hy the otficers coinniaiidinn; coni])anies. Kxpcricnce had j)roved that such a system was detrimental to tiie corps, and that its discontinuance would narrow the sources from which sohh; of the existing evils originated and were fed. With this view, the particular charge of the service was intrusted to the Regimental Adjutant. Recruits were now cidisted for general service, and when ready to join the corps, were, in the first instance, sent to NN'oolwich. On their arrival they were clothed, equipped, and snhjected t > the same drilling as infantry soldiers under the sergeant-major and adjutant ; and, when trained, were posted to the comj)anies, whether at home or abroad, most in want of men. Kven this slight modification produced a more than corresponding im- provement in the corps, and revived in some degree, at the different stations, the discipline and drill. At Portsmouth especially, at a later period, under Colonel Evelegh, who was the first Adjutant of the corps and served with its companies at the siege of Gibraltar — the disciplinary arrangements were so satisfactorily enforced and sustained, that it was a custom for some years to remove tall the irregular men to that station, to place them under the operation of a strict and wholesome sur- veillance. A few years after, about IHOO, to give the corjjs the advantage of manoeuvring in masses, the companies at Ports- mouth and Gosport, with all the subaltern officers in command, were, once a week during the summer months, brought together for drill under their respective Adjutants — Lieutenants Hamilton and Oldfield. Woolwich now became the head-quarters of the corps, and all invalids were ever after sent to it from the different stations for discharge, instead of being disposed of, as heretofore, by the captains of companies. This year the working jacket was somewhat altered. Broad skirts with pocket slashes were appended to it, and, for the sake of giving a more military appearance to the men, a yellow h2 100 HISTORY OF THE ri795. worsted lace triangle was sown between the two back buttons, and a frog was added to each side of the collar. These orna- ments on the sergeant's jacket were of gold lace. The hats of the privates v/ere changed fron^ wliite to black felt, o the sergeants, in addition to the gold band, wore rosettes and crimson plumes. Sec Plate VII. All ranks wore clothing of precisely similar fabric. 100 iUSTORY OF THK ri796. worirtecj k«.i* ttiaBgUi was !«}w« iH'twc!^'. the two back buttons, nn4# fref? «*s added to m»^ «Wie of the collar. Tbepe nrua- tho '^<;rg(raiitV ia<"k»-t were of gold lai^c The h.-itii of .ii,', vv.M-t^ (■':(■., a irfiin white to black Mt, and tho . ^.,.^ ,,, : , ^i-.kl b:nul, wore rosettes and ep»B3on phniwsL Ssk* Plate VII. Ml rnnk> wore cb^thing of pTVscisely Hini!'. t'" fabric. 4 1796.] JJOYAL SAPPEKS AND MINEH!^. 101 175)5-1796. ruinpaiiies to St. Uomingo and the Caribbee Islands — Kcductioii of St. Lucia — Conduct of company tlicre — Gallantry in forming lodgment and converting it into a battery — Attack on Uombardc — Distribution and conduct of St. Domingo company — Mortality in tlie West Indies — Detachment to Halifax, Nova Scotia — Dougal Hamilton — Detachments to Calshot Castle and St. Marcou. Wah, coupled with fever, had by this time made considerable havoc among the troops in the West Indies, and reduced the force to a number totally inadequate for the services of the different islands, much less to resist efficiently the encroach- ments of a vigilant enemy, and check the insurrectionary demonstrations of a disaffected negro population. In some respects to supply this deficiency, reinforcements having been applied for, two expeditions were fitted out at Spithead, and sailed in November, 1795, under Sir Ralph Abercrombic, for St. Domingo and the Windward Islands. To each expedition a ci'nipany of sixty non-commissioned offi(;ers and men of the military artificers were attached, equipped with tools appropriate to their trades, in addition to their arms. The company for St. Domingo, under Lieutenant (Jrozier, royal engineers, was formed by men drafted from the Wool- wich and Chatham companies ; and that for the Caribbee Islands, under Lieutenant Gravatt, R.E., by men from the Closport, Portsmouth, and Plymouth companies. Both companies arrived — after a long and dangerous passage, particularly in clearing the Channel— in March, 1790. In disposing of the two companies, Sir Ralph despatched, under Lieutenant Crozier, thirty-three non-commissioned officers and 102 HISTORY OF THE ri796. privates, including two men who had been prisonere of war at Guadaloupe, to St. Domingo, detaining the remainder to act under himself with the Caribbean company, which now reached the strength of seventy-seven of all ranks. The reduction of St. Lucia was early the intention of Sir Ralph, and the expedition accordingly sailed thither. Tlie company of artificers, under the command of Captain Hay, royal engineers, landed on the 26th April, and at once were told off for the duties of the siege. In addition to the con- struction of some extensive batteries to act against Morne Fortune, they superintended the fonnation of a communication by means of a new road from Choc Bay to the Morne. By the 24th May the English had pushed up to within 500 yards of the fort, and the garrison capitulated on the 26th May. From the nature of the ground and other circumstances, the operations for the reduction of tiie fort were extraordinary and arduous, and the exertions of the company conspicuous. These attracted the notice of Sir Ralph, who, through he medium of Captain Hay, conveyed his thanks to the military artificers for their good conduct and soldierlike behaviour at the In the attack on the enemy's advanced posts at Morne For- tune on the 24th May, a detachment of about twenty non- commissioned officers and men of the company, under Lieu- tenant Fletcher, R.K., with handspikes, axes, and picks, rushed gallantly forward and formed a lodgment, which was rapidly converted into a batteiy of five 24-pounders to breach the body of the place. The exertions of this party greatly con- tributed to the success of the assault and to the fall of St Lucia. Lieutenant Fletcher was wounded, as also two rank and file.' Of the other casualties in the company from the opening of the siege to the assault no record has been pre- served. The detachment of thirty-three non-commissioned ofiicers and men, under Lieutenant Crozier, R.E., arrived at Cape Nichola Mole, St. Domingo, on the 2nd May, and Captain ^V. ' ' Ix>ndon Gazette Extraordinary,' July 4th, 1796. 1796.1 ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 103 M'Kerras, royal engineers, assumed the command of it On the 8th June following, ahout twenty of the party were engaged in tlic attack on Bomhardc, in which one jjrivate — Joiiu M'Donald — was mortally wounded, ucJ one sergeant — Hugh Taylor — ^was taken prisoner,'* On the 11th June, the St. Domingo detachment was further increased by the arrival from St. Lucia of one sergeant and fourteen privates under Lieu- tenant Stewart. Of the ulterior active services of this detachment, nothing can he satisfactorily traced. It was, seemingly, broken up into small parties, and disposed of at St. Marc, Jeremie, Grande Alice, the Mole, and Port au Prince, superintending under their officers, the execution of various works which were deemed essential for defence, on account of the arrival at Cape Fran(;ois of Rochamboau, Santhonax, and several other republicans of consequence. In these and former works the men seem to have exerted themselves with zeal, and to have obtained commenda- tion for their good conduct. " Indeed, I must say," writes Captain M'Kerras to Sir W^illiam Green, the chief engineer, under date July, 17'JG, "that I have never seen a better set of people in every respect and manner than they were." To a great extent tiie fever still prevailed in the West Indies, and had raged fearfully during the months of June and July. It was not confined to any particular island, but was general throughout the group. Never had a more melancholy scene of mortality attended any expedition than befel those to St. Domingo and the Windward Islands. Of the company of military artiticei-s at the for.ner island, twenty-five had died in June and July alone, and by tlie end of the year it was reduced to nineteen men only. Tlie Caribboe Islands' company, during the same period, suffered still more severely ; inasmuch as it was dimiuisluHl from seventy-sevi-n to tl'.ivty-one of all ranks ; whilst the company that served at the captures of Martini(]U(>, St. Lucia, and Gaudaloupe, in ITiU, had frittered away by deaths and invaliding to eigliteen non-commissioned officers and • 'london Gazette,' 23rd to 20tli Jiily, 179fi; takes notice of the piivato wounded, but not of the sergeant taken prisoner. 104 I11S'R)UY OV 'IIIK 179C. men." Of the survivors more than Iialf were incapacitated for duty from sickness, and, ronsequently, tlie services of the dejMirt- ment pressed very heavily upon the effectives. On the 1st September the remnants of the two latter companies were amal- gamated, and reached a total of 49 of all ranks. In June a detachment of one sergeant, two corporals and twenty artificers, embarked for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the classes of tradesmen most needed for the works could not be obtained excejjt at extravagantly high wages. Some care was therefore taken to select mechanics fully equal to the re- quirements of the settlement. The detachment landed in September following, and (.VpUiin iTames Straton, commanding royal engineer, was appointed to command it. Various works were in progress at the time of their arrival, to which they were distributed according to circumstances ; but the service upon which they were chiefly employed was the erection of the light- house in Halifax harbour. Over this work, private Dougal Hamilton, a very intelligent and skilfid mason, was appointed foreman, and acquitted himself throughout with credit. Sub- sequently, when about to quit the province as an invalid, H.R.H. Prince Edward ordered his immediate disembarcation, and placed him at the disposal of the treasurer of the settle- ment, by whom he was employed as a foreman in building the Sliolburne Lighthouse on the coast of Halifax. Early in the spring a party of the Portsmouth company was detached to Calshot Castle to repair and strengthen it ; and another fi-om the Guernsey half company, to renew the defences at the Island of St. Marcou. In carrying on the works at the latter place, privates Roger Hambly and Hugh M'Laughlin were dreadfully wounded by the explosion of a mine in the execution of their duty. ' Lit;uteaant, afterwards Lieuteiiaut-Geiieral, Evaft, who served with the com- paii) in Sir Charles Grey's campaign of l'd\, writes tlius of it : "The dreadful sickiii-ss then prevailing left few or none of the men after its coiiclnsion, and it might with truth l)e said, they came out, did their duty, and died !" 1797.J llOYAL SAPPEHS AND MINEKS. 1(15 1797. Delaclimeiits to Portugal — To Dov«r — Transfers to the Artilltry — Enlistment of artificers only— Incorporation of Gibraltar companies with the corps — Capture of Trinidad— Draft to West Indies — Failure at Porto Hico— Fording the lagoon, by private D. Sinclair — Private W. Rogers at the bridge St. Julien — Saves his officer — Casualties by fever in Caribbean company — Filling up company at St. Domingo with negroes — Mutinies in the tieet at Portsmouth — Conduct of Plymouth company — Knieute in the Itoyal Artil- lery, Woolwich — Increase of pay — Murcpiis Cornwallis's approbation of the corps — Mutiny at the Nore — Consequent removal of detachment to Gravesend — Alterations in dress. Early in January, Lieutenant V. W. INIulcaster, R.E., with a party of one sergeant, one corporal, five artificers, and four labourers of the Woolwicli company, enii)arkod for Portugal to join the force under the connnand of J..ieutcnant-Goneral Charles Stuart, which was sent to that country for the purpose of preventing its invasion by the annics of France or Spain. The nature of the service did not call for any display of cha- racter, and the detachment being withdrawn in October IT'jy, immediately proceeded with the expedition to IMinorca. In February one corporal and seven miners of the Plymouth company were detached to Dover to carry on the mining opera- tions at that station under ('a])tain H. Bruyores, K.E. They were farther increased in October to two cor[)orals, eleven artificers, ten labourers, and one drunnner, as well to conduct the mining as to assist in repairing the works on the Western Heights. A detachment was also sent from this »!ompany to Berryhead near Torbay, to erect fortifications. A great deficiency occurring in the ninnerical establishment of the royal artillery, the Mast(!r-Geiieral desired that as nianj 106 IIISTOIIY OF THE 1707. of tlic labouHM's of tli(! corps of artilicors as were anxious tu avail themselves of the opportunity of transferrinjr their services to that regiment, should he permitted to do so. The transferring continued from Mareh to ^lay, and tlie corps was thus reduced sixty-seven men, each of whom received one guinea on being accepted by the Artillery.' This reduction in the establishment of the labourere was followed in August by an order, that the recruiting for the corps should be limited to the artificer part only. Labourers and men not bred to the regulated trades were no longer en- listed, and every artilicer so enlisting only received the bounty and subsistence of a laboLier, until he had been approved as a competent artificer. ThisWi?s a wholesome precaution, as those enlisted under the assumed name of mechanics were continued an labourers, until industry and improvement had rendered them worthy of advancement. In June the soldier-artificer corps at (iibraltar was incor- porated with the royal military artificers. Ever since its fonna- tion in 1772 it had held a distinct position, and was an integral body of itself. Its establishment was two companies of ■') ser- geants, 5 corporals, 2 druunners, and 125 private artificers each, with 1 sergeant-major to both comi)anies ; but its actual strength on the amalgamation was only 255 of all ranks. In the regular monotonous routine of that garrison there was little occasion for their services except as artificei-s. At this period their conduct was far from commendable. Much addicted to drunkenness, they were the constant subjects of courts-martial ; but on the works, under the eye of their officers, they behaved well and were very good mechanics, particularly the non- commissioned officers, who, besides, were skilful foremen. IJy the incorporation of these companies with the corps, it was in- creased from 801 to 1,075 of all ranks; but its actual strength only reached 75'J men. ' One of these labourers, Jolin Alexander, enlisteil in the Chatham company 15th .Inly, 17'J(), and was transferred 1st April, 1797. Forty years afterwards he was conmiissioned as quartermaster in tlie royal horse artillery, and after eleven years' service in that rank, retired on full-pay iu 1847, and died in 1854. 1707.] ROYAL SAl'PEKS AND MINERR. 107 Sir Ralph Abcrcroinbie having resolved to make an attcin])t on the island of Trinidad, an ex])edition under himself and Admiral Harvey sailed accordingly froni Martinique on the 12tli 1" ebruary. To this force were attached one sergcant-ninjor, two corporals, and nineteen artificers, under Major C!harles Shipley, and Lieut(>nants Gravatt and Lefebure, royal engineers. From an accident by tire, which consumed the enemy's ships on the night preceding the morning arranged for the attack, the island became an easy conquest and surrendered by caj)itulation on the iHth February. Soon after the taking of this island, a detachment under Lieutenant Ford, R.K., of three sergeants, two corjiorals, and twenty privates, drafted from the Portsmouth company, landed and joined Major Shipley's company at Martini(iue, the strength of which, with the increase, amounted to sixty-Kve of all ranks. Sir Ralph Abcrcromble and Admiral Harvey now assembled an expedition against Porto Rico and landed there on the 17th April. The company of artificers furnished about forty non-commissioned officers and men for this service, including Lieutenant Ford's party. Here they constructed, assisted by a party of liie 14th regiment, two batteries, one for mortal's and the other for guns. A large nuigazine abandoned by the enemy, was also partially converted into a battery for two mortal's, but its completion was reliiupiished in consequence of the ordnance intended to arm the battery having been swamped in a morass in crossing. Notwithstanding the exertions made to reduce the place, the enterprise failed, and the troops were withdrawn on the 30th April. Previously, however, to eflect- ing the evacuation, the artifici-rs, to prevent the enemy following in the retreat, destroyed the bridge which connected the island of St. Julien with the main ; and afterwards hastily reared a breastwork of sandbags to cover the embarkation, which, how- ever, was not required, as the exj)edition was suffered to leave the island unmolested. The cjisualties in the military artificers were five privates killed, viz., Joseph Featherstone, George Clark, Samuel ILigue, George Winter, and John Cameron, 108 HISTORY OF TIIK fl7CT. and four sc'voroly womidrd ; IjCttidos about twenty more who sustiiiued sli^dit rontusioii.s or uuitilatioiis." Auiong the measures sujige.-ited for reduciiifj; Porto Rico was one for taking the town, by forcing tlie troo])s througii the higoon bounding the east side of the ishmd. Uefore the project could be entertained, it was considered advisable to ascertain if the stream were fordabie. An officer of Sir Ralph's staff having recjucsted permission to undertake the service, h" was voluntarily accomi)anied by private David Sinclair of the military ailiticers. In the night, at the appointed hour, both entered the lagoon together, each provided with a long start". With this support they probed their adventurcus way, and at length succeeded in gaining the opposite slope ; where, standing near one of the redoubts which defended a broken bridge, they distinctly heard the vigilant sentinels talking and walking on their beats, W"\t\\ the same caution as before, they ])i(ked their course back again, and then coolly repeated the duty witliout the aid of props. The officer rej)orted the ford to Im fully practicable, and at the same time lauded the intrepidity of the soldier who accompanied him. ThereujKJn Sir Ralpii praised him for his gallantry and rewarded him with a Johannes — a piece of eight dollars. The idea of making the assault by passing the stream was given up, in consequence of the British force being too weak to cope with an enemy powerful in men and means, and almost imj)regnal)lc in position. Sinclair died the 28th July, 1797, and during his short career in the West Indies, an officer under whom he served li.is left this testimony to his worth, " that he was ever conspicuous in every service." Determined upon relinquishing Porto Rico, Sir Ralph ordered Lieutenant C Lefebnre, of the royal engineers, with a detach- ment of the artificers, early in the morning of the 30tli Aju'll, to repair to the bridge which connected the island of St. Julien with the Main and demolish it, for the purpose of preventing the Spaniards following and harassing the army during the retreat. The bridge was an old crazy structure of « In till' noticed. ' London Gazette,' .Ird to Gth Jiiiie, 1 7'JT, the killed only are 1707.1 KUYAL SAri'KliS AN'D MINKIiS. Id!) Iio as i(( lie to t 1 M ll'! 10 (itil aff. at iiijjr >*t()iie cousistiiifr of iiino nrcln's. All were directed to work at the roud-way of the centre arch, Imt to private Wiliiain Uojjrera, at liirf particular rc(pu'st, wa.s assi^fiicd tlie difficult and dan- ycrourt duty of dialodffiiip tlie key stone. The ground was soon iiarrowed up, a pip made across the middle, several stones were removed from th'j pier-heads, and the hridj;fe exhibited sifjns of instability. Noiiiinij daunted, Hoj/ers lioldly stepjted upon the crown of the arch, and after u few heavy blows with his j)ickaxe, scooped the stone from its bed. At once the arch gave way ; and the others leaning towards it, cracked as thon<,di torn by an earthquake and fell bi>neath him. llot live of his comrades were crushed to death by the fall ; lonr also were severely wounded ; and all the rest, save corporal William Robinson, were injured. Nor was this all. Uoijers swam about the heap to afford help to those who were suffering and dying. It was yet dark, aiul the thick dust still rising from the fall, made the darkness denser. Groping, therefore, among the ruins, he found an individual who still had signs of life, struggling, inetfectually, to free himself from some massive fragments that entangled him. Rcjrers set to work to release the drowning man : this he quickly accomplished, and, swimming with his charge to the shore, the rescued turned out to he his own officer — Lieutenant Lefeburc. The life of that gallant subaltern, how- ever, was only -prolonged to fall a sacrifice to his heroism on tin; walls of Matagorda in 1810. Rogers's exertion* were not confined to his officer only, for several of his comrades who were precipitated into the water and were unable to swim, he saved, assisted by those of the party who had sustained but trivial injuries. A desolating epidemic still raged in the Caribbee Islands and greatly diminished the numbers of the company. In November particularly, the climate was extremely hot and unhealthy and the deaths by fever considerable During the year the cjisualtics were, deaths, thirty-one, of which fifteen 110 HISTORY OF THK [1797. occurred in November ; sent home invalided, six ; deserted, t\.o ; total, thirtv-nine ; leavinfr the company, of all ranks, only thirty-three strong at the cud of the year. At St. Domingo the greal want '>f artificers for the service of the engineering department being severely felt, (Captain McKerras, R.E., in February, represented the expediency of keeping up the company with negroe-. The nund)er of the military artificers then serving in the colony was nineteen of all ranks, a third of whom were consUmtly unfit for any kind of duty, sutferiiig as tliey did from over exertion and frccpient relapses of remitting fever. To Europeans the climate was "the most pernicious and abominable ir. the universe," and none hut the strongest jould at all bear up against its influ- ences. To fill up the vacancies in the company, therefore, by drafts of mechanics from I'^ngland, would have ir.iurred a heavy outlay without reannig a commensurate return. Con- siderations like these piomp^' 7 Scarcely bad the mutinies at Portsmouth subsided, before a more formidable one ajtpeared in the fleet at the Nore. Ecjui- table concessions had already been made to the navy ; but at the Norc these were not received with satisfiiction. Other exorbitant demands were made by the Nore seamen, and legi- timate authority was resisted even by force of arms. This bold menace then led the Government to compel unconditional submission ; and the instigators of the mutiny, with Richard Parker at their head, suffered the extreme penalty of th(> law. During this alarming outbreak, the company of artificers in the Mcdway division were very zealous in the completion of various works to be employed against the mutineers, should the crisis arise to require them. The companies at the difTerent ])orts were also on the alert and distributed to several posts of importance. A detachment of sixteen non-commissioned officers and men — withdrawn from Gravesend in April — were returned to that station in June. This detachment erected two batteries at Northfleet for four and two guns of heavy calibre, to fire into the ' Neptune,' 98, and ' Lancaster,' 04, lying ofi' Grcen- hitlie, should they attempt without proper or(lei"s to j)ass to the Nore. They also made such repairs as were necessary t) the blockhouse and batteries at Gravesend, and also strength- ened the fortifications and renewed the furnaces for boating shot red-hot at Tilbury Fort. Here also, before returning to Woolwich in August 1708, the detachment built a wooden river-wall at the Perry-house. This year the cocked hat was revived. It was an adaptation of the pinched-up Nivernois hat and the ample Raniilies. The flaps were edged with broad black binding instead of gold lace as formerly. The cockade and gold loop were retained ; but the short red feather was dis})lacod by an eight-inch length white heckle. At each of the shoots or angles of the hat was a ••ose-shaj)ed ornament of gold lace. The hats of the sergeants and sergeant-majors were of equal fineness and edged with black silk lace, flowered ; while those of the corjrorals, artificers, and drummers were much superior to the labourers. The latter did not wear roses. Alterations were also made in tlic i#: I 17117. ■ to wluii abfi'' 'i - livi-v;, rank ;..,• ■.■-.:. .U l.'i.g ;>kilX,,. .... .■••(Ilv. .,,«,t With Abort skirts. La|>pels w«n; -t4 Stti>|>if^^' was «wceeded by frogging. I.'t fur the first tinje, ^^it'n the usual stiU in vtij^iii.' ; hut llie use of hair V CK! now «ern over the coatees of the ,i»tinctiou. Sased. Sashes were now worn over the coatees of the ranks entitled to the distinction. See Plate VIII. 12 lie IIISTOHY OF TIIK [ITOs, 1798— 171)!). Contribution of corps to the State— Detachmi'iit tli expedition to ninritime Flanders — Destruction of tlie Hruges canal .iile near Ostenil— Draft to West Indies — Capture of Surinam — St. Domingo evacuated — Kxpedilion to Minorca — Conduct of detaclinunt while serving there — Composition of de- tachments for foreign service — I'arties to Sevenoaks and Harwich — Mission to Turkey — Its movements and services — Special detachment to Gibraltar to construct a cistern for the Navy — Detachment with the expedition to Hol- land— Its services— Origin of the Royal Staft' Cori)s. France, having but little occuj)ation for lior armies, turned her attention to England and matin-cd arrangements on a scak^ of surpassing magnitude for its invasion. In this country all ranks and orders of men were affected by tlie threat ; and such was the sjjirit of military ardour it induced, that corps of volun- teers were rapidly embodied to meet the exigency of the times. Throughout the kingdom the wealtliy contributed largely to assist the measures for defence ; and the annj-, influenced by the j)opular feeling, joined in the demonstration and tendered subscrij)tions to the Government to aid in the realization of its purj)oses. The corps of military artificers also, prompted as well by a desire to relieve the general burden of the nation as from gratitude to the King for the recent addition to their pay, gave, in February, a contribution of three days' pay to the Treasury, to be applied as should be considered best for the defence of the state.' In acknowledging the letter conveying ' The following is a copy of the letter of the Woolwich company, offering tlie contribution above alluded to; — Sin, WoiiIhIc./i, \2tli Fcbninrti, 17<)8. At a time when the exigencies of the State appear to reciuire the assistance of every good subject to alleviate the general burden our fellow- bubjeets bear, it is the unaninions wish of the non-commissioned ofBcers, 1798. KOYAL SAPPERS AND MTNEItS. 117 the jifift, fJi'iionil Morce, the ( !oh)n('l-( )oniinaii(lniit, writes iiiider (late of i;>th Februnry, "their loyal and laudable offer hivs art'orded iiie jjreat .sitist'action." All expedition under Major-General (Joote was fitted out in Mav, at aMarfrate, for service against maritinie Flanders. 'I'lu' desiifii of the enterprise was to destroy the works and sluices of the Bruges canal near Osteiid, and to cripple the internal navigation. To etlect these services a detaehinent of the corps, experienced in mining, from the ('hatliam and Plymouth com- panies,^ under Lieutenant l?rownriglislicd liy l)gerton in I7»e. 118 IIIHTOItY OF TUK I I71>t<. Lieutenant Brownripg in the duties iT(|iiireil of them, accom- panied the first divisiion, provided witli intrencliinjir tools, wooden petiirds, &c. On landing, the troops took possession of the forts that protected the sluices, in order that the intended work of dest' uction might be carried on successfully. The artificera, with 0 company from the 23rd regiment and a detachment of royal artillery, c'?ni.iifci;r'ed the appointed work, and in alwut four houro laid the locks, gntes, and sluices in ruins, burned several gun-boats, and effected an explosion in the basin of the canal that almost dcmolislicd it, and drained it dry. In this service the exertions and efficiency of the party may be inferred from the praises bestowed by General Coote upon Lieutenant Brownrigg.^ Having thus accomplished the object of the expedition the troops were ordered to re-embark. At the a])pointed hour the weather had become boisterous, and the violence of the surf rendered it impracticable to reach the shipping. A posi- tion was, therefore, taken up on the siind-hills before Ostend, which was strengthened in the night by the military artificers with intrenchments suitable to the occasion ; but on the 20th, the British, hemmed in by a much stronger force, were com- pelled, after an obstinate contest, to surrender themselves prisoners of war. The casualties in the detachment were — killed, two ; wounded, five ; and thirteen, including the wounded, taken prisoners.* The survivors returned to England, and re- joined their companies in March, 17911. Li the West Lidies the Caribbean company was reduced at the end of the previous year by fever to thirty-three men, who were distributed in ones and twos ihrougb different districts of the conquered islands. None could be spared for active duty without detriment to other services equally important ; and ' " Lieutenant IJrownrigg, H.E., in uliout four hours, made all his arrange- ments, and completely destroyed the sluices ; his mines having, in every par- ticular, the desired effect, and the object of the expedition thereby attained. • * * In Lieutenant Brownrigg, 1 found infinite ability and resource : his zeal and attention were eminently conspicuous." — Loudon Gazette, 17 to 21 July, 17'J8. ■* 'London Gazette,' 17 tn -21 .July, 1798. I 179H.1 UOYAFi SAPPEHB A\n MINKKS. 110 several expo(litioii8 were, tlicrot'ore, iiiidtTtakeii without ii mili- tary artificer accoinpaiiyiiitj tiieiii. In some iiieaaure to Mipply the iiiiiiKM'oiw vacaiicieH that had occuned, (nie ciirpDral and twenty-nine privates eiid)arkod in I'l-hrnary <»n luiard tiie 'Uni(tn* transport under Lieutenant T. l\. I'Auh, U.K.; and on their arrival the company was increased to tif'ty-sevcn non- commissioned otticers and men. On the 2()tli Auj,'ust, tlie expedition inider Lieut.-General Tri, thirty-six died, seven were invalided, two deserted, and the remaining two" were sent to do duty at Jamaica. In November three sergeants, four corporals, hfty-five tartifi- cers, three labourei's, and one drummer, tobU, sixty-six, formed from the party em])loyed in Portugal, and from artifieei's of the companies at (Gibraltar, wi-re sent with the f(n*ce under General (^iiarles Stuart against Minorca. On landing, the Spaniards, without ottering any resistance, retired into the town of (Jita- della, which possessed a sort of fortified oiccintr. A l)attery for a few field-pieces was constructed against it in the night by the ■■* This offiocr was "ordercil to tlie West Indies willi two compniiius of the royal military artificers : himself and two of the privates only escaped the baleful effects of the climate of St. D(miiugo." — United Service Journal, i., 1S,')2, p. 142. " These were privates Adam Cowan and John Wcsto. The former was at once appointed sergeant and conductor of stores to Commissary Meek of the Ordnance. After delivering over the stores of the department at Jamaica to a sergeant of Ouleh emigrant artillery, ho returned to Kngland, and was dis- charged with a peusiou of 2s. ^'^d. u-day in April, ISM). I 120 iiisTO]{y oi 179s. artificers under Captain D'Arcy, royal engineers, and after firing a few shots tin; place surrendered on the loth November. Si.on after the cajjitulation, the detaclniient was very much dispersed through the island, employed on various defensive works ; and on Sir Charles Stuart quitting it, the military arti- ficers remained to restore the fortifications. In .January, 1801, the detachment was denominated the Minorca comjjany ; but in August, 1802, it was withdrawn, and being disbanded, the men wore distributed among the com])anies of the corps at home and at Gibraltar. During their stay in Minorca it seems that their conduct was not above reproach, nor their services on the works as useful as desired. Sir ('harkvs Pasley has recorded that they \\ere found to be very inefficient, and ascribes it to their having been selected for the expedition from the Gibraltar companies, which, from circumstances, were for a number of years the worst in the corps.' Here, liowcvcr, it is proper to add, that their inefii- cicncy did not arise from their want of ability and skill as mechanics,'* but from tlieir general irregular behaviour occa- sioned chiefly by intemperance. Writing of the I Gibraltar companies, Sir Augustus de Butts, '.i\ a letter dated 1 1 th July, 1848, says : — " I cannot speak so confidently of their general conduct, but on the works, under the eye of their oflScei's, they behaved well, and were very good artificers, particularly the non-connnissioned officers." On the composition of detachments for foreign duty, Sir Charles Pasley has made some observations which may not ia- aj)propriately be introduced here. " ^^'hen any ex])cditii)n," he writes, " was to be undertaken, the number of royal military artificers required were in ail cases, selected by small detat'h- " I'asley's ' Elementary Fortifii'atioii.' \otes to Preface, ]>. iv., vol. i. " Several iinliviiliial proofs coiiKl be iMiluced lint two um.s suflice. Private Kvan Hoberts, a talented mason, was uetaclied to Malta durinji; tbe blockade of Valetta, and rendered good service as a foreman under Captain (lordon, li.K. On tbe formation of tbe Maltese artilicers, be was appninled sergeant in one of tbe companies to prevent bis removal to amillier station ; and Sergeant-major James Sbirres, formerly of tlic (iilirallar companies, from bis enrrcet coiidnct and merit as an artifici'r. was appointed overseer of works in tbe royal engi- neer depariment at I'lynioutb, in Ueccmliei, 1S(I4. 170!).' ROYAL SAl'l'F.IJS AND MINElfS. 121 mcMits out of till! stationary compauifis ; ami as the commandiiijy ciijjriiiccrrf at tlie several fixed stations were natnrally averse to j)artin of the detaehnuMit were detained with the officers at Buyukdere, and the remainder were occupied in various services at the former place and Kaithai.a, where they erected a furnace for heating shot. Shortly afterwards ex])erimenfs with red-liot shot were carried on in the presence of the Sultan, who, at the close of the j)ractiee, having reviewed the mission, presented eaeli person with a gift suitable to his nink. Whilst building the furnace, the artificers, exjjosed to marsh miasma, were early attacked with fever. At first the cases w(>re slight, but relapses following with malignity, three of the detachment died. To ])reserve the mission, tlierefore, it was removed in October to the Dardanelles. Previously to the embarkation, the artificers I'onstrncted a handsome model of the upper castle at ( 'lienne- kalleh, on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles, with Mnjor llolloway's imjirovements, which model was presented l)y that officer to lladgi li)rahim EH'endi, Secretary at >\'ar for the Ot- '" HriK'i'litT-Gi'noral KocV.'er, Miijor Ilolloway, tinr. Hut all efforts to ascertain uherc, or how, the enciuy (.'fiectfij the seizure 128 lIISTOliY OF 'I'HK "1800. of the vessel with her crew and passcnnrers, have provinl un- successful. Soon after the removal of the mission from the Dardanelles to Constantinople, Captain Lacy and Lieutenant Fletcher, K.K., were detached to join the Turkish army in Syria. \\'ith these officers two military artificers were also sent, mw of whom returned from (\prus with tlu; former officer in April, and the other reached the mission again, some two months later, with Caj)tain Lacy. On the 13th of June, the artificers sailed from Constantinople' with the mission, and landed at Jaffa (m the 2nd of July, where they encamped with the Turkish army and commenced, under the foremanshi}» of sergeant E. AVatson, the improvements suggested hy 3Iajor Ilolloway in the fortifications of that port. These, however, though far advanced, were ulti- mately set aside, and tiie artificers were appointed to erect several new works in front of Jaffii ; which, in conseciuence of the I'rench heing in great force at Catieh, were considered to be more essential than the jn'oposed alterations to the defences of the town. With great ceremony, on the 30th of August, the first stone of the intended new bastion was laid by the Grand Vizier ; and shortly after, his Highness having reviewed the mission, marked his a})])robation of their ajjpearance by a present to each non-commissioned officer and soldier. In December the fever, which had been alarmingly rife in the Turkish camp, attacked the mission. Its first victim was a military artificer ; and before the end of the month, though the cases of mortality were few, the mission had to lament the loss by death, of their commander, General Koehler, ILA., and his lady. Major Ilolloway, royal engineers, then assumed the command, and at the close of the year, a change of cantonment ' Some time before leavinp the cily, private Thomas Tiijhir, loyal niilitaiy artificers, was, without any provocation, assaulted hy a Turk, wlio attempted to stah him with his yatikan. On a report of tliis outrage being made lo tlie Capitan Paeha, towliose retinue tlie Turk lielonged, lie came to a resolution to have him deca])itateJ. Hy the mediation and entreaties of Lord Elgin, a miti- gation of the punishment ensued, and the Turk, after receiving fifty strokes of the bastinado on the soles of his iViet, was sentenced to twenty years' imprison" ment in the college of Pera, tn Icini the Arnhit: hnijitnf/i'. — Or. Wittman's Turkey, p. W. 1800.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINKHS. 120 linvirifj ro-ostaldislicd tlio licaltli of the men, tlie workf* at the now hnstion ))ro{rre?scd vigorously.'* In April, ii detaclnnent of one scrjreant, two corporals, and thirty artificers, uiidi>r (\'iptain Hryce, R.lv, acc(ini|,anied tlie expedition imder Sir Ralph Ai)ereronii)ie, for emplovnient on secret service. The men were selected from the ditlbreiit home companies, and all were "sufficiently (pialified in their respective trades, as well as able-bodied." Proceeding to Portsmouth, they rcmjiincd inactive for about six weeks ; and, at length em- barking on board the ' Asia ' transport, sailed in June with the ex])edition. In the (.'hannel ott" Portland, the fleet encountered a gale, and was driven back to Portsmouth ; but on a fair wind sj)ringing up, got luider weigh again, and in due time ran up the Tagus. From thence the 'Asia' proceeded to Gibraltar, lay there about a month, and sailing for ^linorc^, soon reached that island and landi-d the artificers ; where, for about seven weeks, they were employed in the construction of temporary barracks, &c., for the troops put on shore. At the ex])iration of this period, the artificers returned to the ' Asia ' and retrac- ing the route to Gibraltar, anchored for a fortnight. There they were reinforced by one sergeant, one corporal, and five miners of the companies at the fortress ; and at the ajipointed hour, the ' Asia,' again weighing anchor for Tetuan Bay, took water there and sailed with the fleet for Cadiz. When off Cadiz, the artificers were told off into *wo bri- gades, and six of the boldest and most expert men were selected to land with the first division, and the remainder with the second. On the morning of the day in which the attempt was to be made, the artificers, as a preliminary measure, removed all the intrenching tools and engineers' stores into the launches, and then took their places in the boats, provided with adzes, pole-axes, and miners' tools for removing imp(>diments, i^c. A long interval of breathless suspense followed, in which the seamen rested impatiently on their oars ; but, as an epidemic raged at the time in the city, the landing was countermandc'd, ' Particulars for the most part obtaiiu'd from Wittnian's ' Travels in Tiirki'V,' Sic. vol,. 1. K I3(t lilSTOKY ol'" TilK "1800. and tlic uion and stores lu'infr rL'sliipjR'd, the nieditated attack upon Cadiz was reliiKinislied. The ' Asia," conseijuently, sailed for Tetuan Hay, where, (ixjjoscd to a storm, she was compellcMl to cut her eahle and nni fur Cape Spartol. There she anchored for four days, and on tlie wind shiftinj^ aj^ain made for the l)ay.'' At tliis rend(>zvons tlie fleet was divided into three divisions, and tlie artificers acc()in])anied that under Sir Ralph yMier- croniliie to Malta. Tiiere they were landed ; and after a stay of ahont seven weeks, during which they wen- employed \)vc- parin Discliarges .... ."".l Invaliile.! .... .18 Desertions .... J 255 3fi 9« .187 US Wanteil to conipleli Kstablishment 2(i9 (i '275 l< 2 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) Uo o ''/■ (< ^ I I.I 11.25 l^y^ |2.5 ■so ■^™ M^B ^ i2.2 US Hi U 11.6 ^ V] 7 ^^. Photographic Sciences Corporation iV 4 ■^ L1>' <> IV 23 WEST MAIN STRICT WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716)872-4503 6^ r>>d with various beau- tifully-marked skins from Rhodes, for > ic Turkish General Mustaplia, which was presented to hijii ^ y Coptain the Hon. « Sergeant Kdwai Watson, who enlisted into the irt llery as a niatrossi jBn\iary 28, 1775, and joined the corps at Woolwich, March 1, 1792, was the senior nou-conimissioncd officer with the mission ; and in consideration of his zeal, ability, and iinit'orni exemplary conduct, as well in discharge of his mili- tary duties, as in the executive superintendeuce of the several works under, taken by Major Ilolloway, he was promoted, on his arrival in England, to be sergeant-major of the Woolwich ccnnpany. On December 1, 1810, he was discharged. For similar reasons corporal David Pollock was advanced to the rank of si'rgeant, and appointed master-smith. ' Wittmau's' Turkey,' p. 395. i;iO HISTOllY OF THK [1801. Alexander Cochrane, R.N. On the 17th February, the fleet set sail for Egypt, and running into Aboukir Bay on the Ist March, the troops landed on the 7th, and then followed a display of invincible ardour and bravery on the part of the British, that checked France in her cjireer of success, and turned all her glorious Egyptian conquests into painful disasters and ca|)ituIations. With the first division were landed the seven military arti- ficers of the 'Ajax,' who were present in the action of that morning ; and eight hours afterwards commenced to trace the necessary works for besieging Aboukir Castle. Next day the remainder of the detachment landed from the ' Asia ' transport, and dispersed in small parties of about four each to the several brigades of the army, advanced to ^Ucxandria. Under the direction of their officers, the ' Ajax ' artificers superintended the construction of batteries for eleven guns and three mortars in front of Aboukir, laying all the platforms themselves, and lestoring, when damaged by the enemy's fire, the cheeks of the embrasures which were formed by a double row of sand-bags backed or strengthened by a row of casks filled with earth, a plan suggested by Major M'Kerras, royal engineers, previously to ''.is being killed ; but which v as not again resorted to, during the subsequent operations of the campaign. On the 1 9th March the castle surrendered. On the heights of Alexandria, the artificers with the column under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, superintended the erection of batteries and redoubts of sand-bags, fascines, and gabions, which formed a strong line of defence from the sea to Ljike Maedie. The Aboukir pjvrty joining on the 20th, also assisted in the works until their completion. Unable, from being un- armed, to take an active part in the battle of Alexandria on the 21st March, they occupied themselves in the essential duty of carrying shot, shell, and ammunition to the artillery and the troops. After the battle the military artificers had the charge, under their officers, of renewing the works on the heights, and when completed were appointed to aid in eftecting the inundation of 1801.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 137 a portion of the country. This was accomplished by cutting seven channels in the dyke of the canal of Alexandria, through which the waters of Lake Aboukir rushed into Lake Mareotis, then nearly dry, and about ten feet below the level of Lake Aboukir. Across the Nile they subsequently threw a bridge of boats, to facilitate the communication between Alexandria and Rosetta, re-forming it when swept away by the rapidity of the current ; and afterwards they assisted in the construction of a similar bridge across the openings in the dyke of the canal of Alexandria for the convenience of the shipping. B'our of the artificers who were at the siege of the castle of Aboukir were attrmed that the artificers had joined with the llnyals and 25th regiment in their intemperate 'isplay ; but added, that he felt every reluct^ince to give credence to the report, and also made some complimentary allusions to the services of the companies at the fortress. He then desired to know if there were any complaints, in order, if reasonable, to adjust them. The men, thus courteously invited, having stated their wish to be drilled by their own officers, his Royal Highness directed the Town Major to manccuvre the companies. Carefully tin; Duke watched the firelock exercise and the execution of the various! 140 HIHTOUY OF THK [1802. evolutions, and, expressing his satisfaction with their ap|)earance and drill, granted their request. This year the cocked hat, worn since 1797, was superseded hy the clmco, similar in size and shape to the one commonly adopted in the army. So strange an alteration — from the sage-like cocked hat to its trim substitute — obtained for the new head-gear the cimmerian appellation of the " smoke-jack." The white heckle feather worn with the cocked hat, was re- tained. See Plate IX. As time wound up, this description of chaco lost its upright lines for one which, ap])roaching a cone in shajKJ, was called the " sugar-loaf aip." The latter, again, was superseded by another in 1813, which, from its peculiar form, was familiarly styled the " bang-up." IM) HWOitT DF TIIK I lh(i2. «.'voliiin p»l*tifuU' — flbbiincil for the .»(>(nlliitiun i)f flif "Mn(ik«vj«fk." •ni witli tli« cookefl liat, was i«- uif **()ii!>'J up, this description ol t'H* ' »hi«h. apprmiehinK a cone I I'laf .ap" Tlu' hutcr^ strain, • M i?, 1803. ■* Ibid. 144 HISTORY OF THE [1804. and harbour. Sir Charles, therefore, among many works which he suggested for the defence of the district, projected an exten- sive fort for Spike Island to be erected on the site of West- moreland Fort, which was to be demolished. Authorized to carry his plans into execution, he applied and obtained in October, the services of an efficient detachment of tradesmen, consisting of a sergeant, and master mason, thirteen artificers, and one labourer of the Woolwich company, to aid in destroy- ing the old fort and in erecting the proposed new one. As the works progressed and their completion was pressed, the detach- ment, in December, 1804, was augmented to thirty-eight non- conmiissioncd officers and artificers ; and in January, 1805, to a full company of one hundred strong, under the denomination of the "Sj)ike Island Company." Between five and six thou- sand civil mechanics and labourers were daily employed at the fort, over whom, to a certain extent, were placed the non-com- missioned officers of the company, as masters of the respective trades, or foremen of particular portions of the work. Arrangements for an expedition against Surinam having been perfected, Major-Gencral Sir Charles Green and Com- modore Hood sailed there in April. Lieutenant-Colonel Ship- ley, royal engineers, as also one sergeant-major, two corporals, twenty privates, and one drummer of the artificers accompanied it, the rest of the company not being available for the service in consequence of being greatly dispersed through the diflferent islands. Surinam being very difficult of approach, Lieutenant- (^olonel Shipley, on the 29th April, went on shore to procure tidings with respect to the best means of reaching the settle- ment. On returning, he reported that a body of tr — "" might be conducted to the rear of Forts Ixwden and Fredorici. Accordingly, twenty of the military artificers with side arms and felling axes, ten of the Gth West India regiment similarly provided, a detachment of 140 men of the (i4th regiment, and about thirty seamen, all under Brigadier-General Hughes, landed on the night of the 29th, and proceeded through almost impassable woods, led by negro guides, to the place of assault. After five hours' laborious marching, the stormers arrived near 1804.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. ur, the rear of Frederic! Battery, wliieh was gallantly taken, as was also Fort Leyden soon after ; and Surinam surrendered on the nth May. " No obstacle," says the despatch of Sir Charles Green, " could damp the enterprising spirit of our seamen and soldiers. They underwent great fatigue in executing these works, which, however, they cheerfully submitted to under Lieutenant-Colonel Shipley, who, as usual, was tinceasing in his exertions." * Severe as the storming is described to have been, only three soldiers were killed ; of whom one was a military artificer,' private James Connolly, at the assault of Fort Ley- den. Of the number wounded, no official account has been traced. Private George Mitchell, represented as a highly-meritorious soldier, distinguished himself in the assault, as, indeed, did the whole of the detachment. As well on the march as in the two successive assaults, he was conspicuous for his perseverance, promptitude, and bravery, and when entering Frederici with the foremost troops, was severely wounded by the side of his officer. Lieutenant J. R. Arnold, R.E., who led the storm. For his services on this occasion he was promoted to be corporal, and subsequently for the same reason to the rank of sergeant. He also received a present from the Patri^ic Fund at Lloyd's, in testimony of the opinion entertained of his services.' On the reduction of the place, the Batavian troops were released from their former allegiance, and at liberty to become either citizens in Surinam, or soldiers in his Britannic Majesty's forces ; but the barren and uninviting prospects that a captured country presented prevented many from settling, and they readily offered to enrol themselves under the British standard. Availing himself of the opportunity, Lieutenant-Colonel Shipley » ' London Gazette,' 19 to 23 June, 1804. ' Ibid. ' In the subsequent campaigns of the West Indies he behaved equally meri- toriously; and in garrison and the workshops always conducted himself well. Besides being an excellent mason and foreman, no artificer in the service, per- haps, had a better practical idea of mining, in which he signalized himself at the destruction of Fort Desaix, Martinique. After sixteen years' arduous service in the West Indies, he was sent to Woolwich and discharged in July, 1814. vol,. 1. L 14<) HISTORY OF THK [1804, accepted the services of seventeen Batavian artificers and en- listed them for the company. Fourteen deaths were reported in the company during the year; and on the 31st December its strength was eighty-eight of all ranks. A fever of a very malignant character appeared at Gibraltjir in August, and continued its ravages during the autumnal month'si. Brought in by a foreigner, who took up his abode in the vicinity of the married quarters of the royal artillery, the disorder was soon communicated to the latter ; and, by the end of September, it spread with a rapidity only equalled by its virulence. Ere long the whole fortress was infested by the pestilence ; and, as if to render the calamity more awful, it was preceded by an earthquake, which agitated the whole Rock. Out of a population computed at 1(),()UU, including 4,000 troops, no less a number than 5,946 died between the 1st Sep- tember and 31 st December. ■ So gi'eat a mortality in so short a period is unexampled in the history of that fortress." The two companies of artificers in the garrison were early visited by the e])idemic and but few comparatively escaped. Of those who were fortunate enough to bear up successfully against the disease, it was ascertained that the chief part had previously suft'ercd from yellow fever in the West Indies. The artificers' barracks at Ilargraves' Parade were a considerable distance from the locality where the disorder originated, and consequently, for a time, were free from fever ; but several of the men having been employed in attending the sick civil master artificers of the department, at their own homes in the town, and the married families of the companies having unrestrained access to the Parade, infection was thus communicated to the single men 'rt barracks ; and the efl^ct was seen too late to adopt any sanitary measures or restrictions to prevent its ingress. In August three men died, and in September ten, whilst the numbers affected by the malady were very considerable. By the beginning of October the fever had extensively spread ; and all work in the engineer department being suspended, the companies were confined to barracks, and the families in " Sir James Fellowes ' On the Fever of AiiduUibia.' 1804.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 147 quarters prohibited from appearing in the streets of the town unless from urgent necessity. Soon afterwards, to preserve their health, they were removed into camp at Beuna Vista. Nothing, however, could arrest the advance of the disorder : gloom and horror hourly increased, and in a very few days the sickness at the encampment far exceeded anything that had occurred at Hargraves'. By tlie end of the month a mournful diminution had taken place, ninety men having fallen a prey to the epidemic ! In November, providentially, the fever sensibly waned, and only twenty-three men died ; and in December, after carrying off four more men, its influence ceased to be felt at the fortress. At the approach of the disease the companies mustered 263 of all ranks ; but by the termination of the year 130 had died ; thus reducing the companies to the strength of 133." Here it may be added, that the royal military artificers lost during the fever more men proportionally than any regi- ment or corps in the garrison.'" Amidst so much mortality, great alarm and irresolution naturally prevailed ; and whilst many excusably avoided all possible contact with the infected, there were not wanting men of humanity and courage to volunteer their attentions and ser- vices to the sick and dying. Several instances of signal dis- interestedness could be recorded, and the names of not a few mentioned, who fell a sacrifice to their generous zeal ; but the following men, by their exertions and unshaken devotion in the I'scharge of the onerous offices assigned to them, seem to have boen regarded with peculiar admiration, and therefore deserve whatever notice can be accorded to their merits in these pages. Private John Inglis performed the important duty of orderly " According to Sir James Fellowes, 229 men of the companies were admitted into liospital with the fever, of whom 1U6 recovered, and 123 died ; but as Sir James has omitted the statistics for August in his tables, the apparent disparity between the two accounts is reduced to the trifling difference of 4 only, a mis- take which, doubtless, occurred from some inaccuracy or accidental omission in the information famished to Sir James from the Ordnance Hospital records. '° This statement is borne out by Sir James Fellowes. See p. 450 of his work ' On the Fever of Andalusia.' 1.2 148 HISTORY OF THE [1804. to the s'ck in the hospital at Windmill-hill, and to assiduous) attention united marked Icindness and tenderness, shrinking from no difficulty and dreading no danger. During the fatal month of October his watchfulness and exertions were incessant, and his patience and humanity were as conspicuous, as his fortitude. Private James Lawford undertook the melancholy service of receiving the dead, both for the artificers and the artillery, and conveying them to the burying-ground near the Grand Parade. Horrible and hazardous as was this duty, he persevered in its performance with a coolness and intrepidity that was perfectly amazing. Private James Weir was the principal gravedigger, and attended to his appointment with unflinching ardour and self- posse.ssion. Surrounded by the pest in its worst forms, and inhaling the worst effluvia, he never for a moment forsook the frightful service, but laboured or, inspiriting those who occa- sionally assisted him, until the necessity for his employment no longer existed." An attempt at invasion being daily expected from the French, earnest attention was turned to those parts of the coiist of England upon which the descent would probably be essayed. Immense sums of money were accordingly placed at the dis- posal of the officers of engineers to carry into effect whatever projects might be approved for rendering the shore defences more secure. Increased exertions were, therefore, made in strengthening the permanent fortifications, enlarging the de- fences of Dover and Chatham, " constructing batteries at various points, building temporary barracks along the coast, and stud- ding our shores with martello towers." " " What wag most extraordinary connected with these daring fellows, was the fact, that throughout the epidemic, they enjoyed the most robust health ; but, after its cessation, fearing that they were loaded with infection, and that a sudden transition to the garrison again would cause the fever to return, the authorities deemed it prudent to send the hearse-driver and gravediggcrs to camp at Bcuna Vista, where, after about two months' quarantine, they were permitted to rejoin their companies. '• ' United Service Journal,' i., 1845, p. 483. 1804.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 149 Besides using all vigilance and exertion at the different ports where the royal military artificers were stationed, in furtherance of the general business of preparation and defence, detachments of the corps were constantly on the route from one place to another, erecting temporary or permanent works. In April, at the suggestion of Major-General Twiss, then commanding royal engineer in the Southern District, the party at Dover was much increased to assist in forming casemates in certain positions of the works on the western heights, by which to remedy the defects in the original construction. At Jersey, in the same month, every precaution was taken to render the island capable of resisting any encroachment from its turbulent neighbours ; and all the batteries and forts, as far as practicable, were manned with ordnance. In the execution of this service corporal and master-carpenter Daniel Brown, described as " a worthy man and a useful artificer," was killed by a fall from the top of Platte Roc(i Tower. In September a small party was detached to Chelmsford, and superintended, under the direction of Captain G. Whitmore, royal engineers, the construction of a chain of temporary field- works, consisting of intrenchnients, batteries, and redoubts, from Woodford Windmill to the windmill at Gallywood Common, a distance, by the line of works, of about two miles and a half. Various regiments of militia provided their contingents to execute these works, in which they were assisted by detach- ments from the royal waggon train and royal staflF corps. About the same time another party was despatched to East- bourne to aid in building the circular redoubt there, as also in erecting several martello towers on the coast, at points best suited to protect our shores. Fluctuating in strength according to the general emergencies of the service, this detachment con- tinued to work in the Eastbourne district until the summer of 1817, when, after assisting in the erection of all the towers as far as Rye Ba ')n the one side of Eastbourne, and Seaforth on the other, it quitted the district and the men composing it rejoined their companies. At Woolwich, during the later months of the year, parties 160 HISTORY OF THE [1805. were specially engaged in preparing and fitting uut bomb tenders for the (Jliannel fleet, by casing their magazines, making racks for shot, and executing such other precautionary services as would insure them from explosion and destruction in action. Nor should the efforts made to carry on the recruiting with success be overlooked, since the steps taken were chiefly induced by the spirit of the times, and the anticipated wants of the coming war. In the previous year, after the treaty of Amiens was signed, the recruiting was suspended ; but in June, 1803, it was resumed with an energy that promised to yield an abundant result. In addition to the old stations, several new ones were opened for obtaining candidates, and the bounty for recruits was increased to 14i. 38. (id. each ! whilst the reward to the soldier, to stimulate him to exertion and vigilance, was augmented to Al. lis. Gd. ! The former levy money was ten guineas, but the improved premium amounted to nineteen guineas. Notwithstanding the great demand for men, every care was taken to receive none in the corps who were not in every particular fully equal to its various duties ; and the oflSccrs employed on the service were specially enjoined to engage such candidates only as were "stout made, able-bodied, well- limbed, healthy, and active, of good character, and good abili- ties as tradesmen ; not over 30 years of ago, nor under 5 feet 6 inches in height." Under these restrictions, and as the call for mechanics in civil life was loud and pressing, only 53 artificers were received and approved of this year, leaving at its close 351 men to complete the corps to its establishment of 1,075. No better success attended the recruiting in the year 1805. Full employment was offered by tb ! country to every artisan disposed to handle his tools, and the sources of enlistrient, therefore, were almost choked up. In this extremity, as the corps was very much below its establishment, application was made to the different regiments of militia for candidates ; and the effect was, that 134 volunteers — all tradesmen and miners 1805.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 101 — ^joined the artificers, !ii April and May, from forty-six regi- inenta. After a short interval, a similar ap])lication was made to the Horse Guards to allow artisans from the line to enter the corps. His Hoyal Highness the Duke of York, acqui- escing in the proposal, conveyed his connuands on the 8th .luly to every battalion in the service, both at home and abroad, to have volunteers, to the number of two caqKJnters and three bricklayers from each, transferred to the military artificers. By tliis arrangement the corps, which was 112 men in arrear of its establislnuent when the order was promulgated, was rendered complete by the end of the year. To each volunteer received was paid a bounty of ten guineas. The totiil number of recruits and men transferred from the line and militia during the year amounted to 435. Filling up the corps in this manner was highly prejudicial to its best interests and general efficiency, so far as the transfers from the regiments of the line were concerned. Officere of those regiments were naturally averse to parting with their good men, and out of a batch of volunteers the five least reputable in every battalion, unless under extraordinary cir- cumstances, were selected ♦o be transferred. To prevent the reception of objectionable men, every precaution was taken by the officers of engineere appointed to this duty ; but, with all their circumsijection, some of the most abandoned characters were j)assed into the corps. AV'ith the dift'erent militias, how- ever, this was not the ease. All the volunteers were unre- servedly suiTcndered to the recruiting-officer, who was at liberty to pick from the number those whom he desired, and subject them to whatever examination he pleased before acceirting them. In this way some of the ablest mechanics and many of the best- conducted men and finest-looking soldiers joined the corps, and their behaviour and usefulness in after service furnished the best test of the advantages derived by receiving volunteers from the militia.'' '" This observation would appear to clash with the remarks of Sir Charles Pasley (note F, p. xvii. ' Elementary Fortification ') upon the impropriety of enlisting militia-men ; but after carefully tracing the history of many volim- teers from that -irm, the fact cannot be concealed that the transfers alluded to were decidedly beneficial to the corps. The best sapper, miner, and pontoneer, I.V2 HISTOllY OF TlIK risofl. England had not yet tnkoii any active measures agaiiixt France, busied as sbe was in endeavours to protect her own shores ; but as soon as the Powers of Europe had formed them- selves into a coalition, under treaty sipfiicd at St. Petersburgh on the llth April, to check the projjress of Buonaparte, the British Government lost no time in fjiving effect to the engage- ment. Accordingly in that month, a body of troops under Sir James Craig embarked for the Neaj)olitan States to join witli the Russians in expelling the French. To this ex])cdition was attached a party of one sergeant, one corporal, and thirteen artificers of the Woolwich company, under the connnand of (Captain C Lefebure, royal engineers, which landed at Naples in November. Here the expedition remained inactive until the 19th January, 180G, when, from the defection of the Russians, it was deemed prudent to withdraw the troops and proceed to Messina, where the military artificers landed on the 18th February, 180G. la October, another force was sent to Hanover, under Lord Cathcart, which, after it should achieve the liberation of that State, was destined to advance into Holland for the same j)ur- ])ose. One sergeant, one cori)oral, and fourteen privates of the Chatham company, luider Captain J. F. Bircii of the engineers, accompanied the expedition and landed in Swedish Pomerania the same montli ; but, by the time the force was prepared to enter into the contest, affairs were on the change ; and Bu./uaparte having gained the brilliant victory of Austerlitz, the treaties of Presburg and Vienna followed, putting an end to the war, and leaving England alone an enemy to France. Unable, without ascjistance, to re-estiiblish the independence of Hanover and Holland, Lord Cathcart's army returned to England early in 180(), and the detachment of artificers rejoined the Chatham company in Febmary of that year. that ever served in the corps— perhaps the hest in Europe— was a milltia-uian ; nn<\ the name of Jenkin .lones, the faithful and zealous sergeant-major under rfir Charles Pasley at Cliathain, now quartermaster at Woolwich, need only be mentioned, to verify the assertion and to corroborate the encomium. Quar- termaster Hilton, the efficient sergeant-major to the corps in France under Sir James (^armichacl Smvth. had also been in the militia. iHim.i ItOYAI, SAl'l'KRH AND MINKHH, 153 180G. Pint detachment to the Cape ofOoml Hope - Misfortunes at Hiienos AyrM — Reinforcement to Oibrultur Services at Culiil)ria — Formation of Maltese military artiticers— Inerense of pay to royal military urtitieers— Augment- ation to tile corps and reorganization of the companies — Kstablishment and annual expense — Working pay — Sub- Lieutenants introduced — Indiscipline and character of the corps. In August of the previous yciir, an cxpctl.tion under Sir David Baird sailed against the Cape of Good Hope, to whieh were attached one sergeant, two corporals, and seventeen artificers of the Plymouth company under Captain J. C Smith of the royal engineers, who eniharked on board the ' Melantlio ' transport. The artiticers landed on the 4th January, 180G, with the artillery, and marched and encamped with them in the field ; but Sir David Baird, conceiving that their services would be more beneficial in the castle after its capture, tiian in action, would not j)ennit them to take part in the operations. They therefore halted about a (juarter of a mile to the right rear of the position, and there remained imtil they marched with the troops into the castle. Ever since this capture, a dcbichment of the corps of varying strength has been employed in the colony, not only at Cape Town, but at many posts and forts at a considerable distance inland and upon the frontiers. Two privates of the Cape detachment under Captain Kennett, of the corps, sailed in April with the force under General Beresford against Buenos Ay res. Landing at Point de Quil- mes on the 25th Jime,' they were present at the surrender of ' ' Loudon Gazette Extraordinary,' September 13, 18ti6. 154 HISTORY OF THE [1806. the city on the 27th following. After a time the Si)iuiiards, recovering from the panic which lost them their caj)ital, retook it with signal success, and those of the British not killed, .vere taken jjrisoners. Oajitain Kennett was among the former, and one of the artificers was wounded. On the loss of their captain, the two men were attached to the artillery and served in the action of the 12th August, 180(5, under Captain Alexander Macdonald, royal artillery : they subse(iuently were taken jirisoners and remained so until January 1808, when they returned to England with the forces under General W'hite- locke. To supply the casualties at Gibraltar occasioned hy the fatal fever of 1804, a detachment of 133 artificers,^ under Captjiin II. Evatt, royal engineers, embarked on the 31st Deceml)er, 1805, and landed at the fortress in February following. The strength of the companies was thus increased from 174: to 307 of all raJiks. Sir John Stuart, who commanded the army in Sicily, now undertook, at the solicitation of the ('ourt of Palermo, an ex- pedition against the French in Calabria The detachment of artificers at Messina, reduced to twelve in number, furnished ten men, under Captain C. Lefebure, royal engineers, to accompany the troops. They were present on the 4th July at the battle of Maida ; and afterwards at the siege of Scylla Castle from the 12th to the 23rd of the same month. Shortly after the capture, six of the party returned to their old quarters at Messina, leaving two non-commissioned officers and two artificers under Lieutenant George Macleod of the engineers, to superintend the restoration of the ctistle defences. In October the four men rejoined the detachment at Messina, where the whole continued to be employed in various engineer- ing services for several years. Artificers under military control and discipline being nmch recjuired for the works at Malta, Lieutenant-Colonel K T. Dickens, 11. E., recommended the formation of three companies ' With fifty women ami forty children! More than, in thene days, are per- mitted to aceumpaiiy a h.ilUiliun on foreign service. 1806.] R()\AL SAri'ERS AND MINERS. 155 of Maltese tradesmen for the service of the engineer depart- ment ; two to be stationed at Malta and Gozo, and one for employment in general duties in the Mediterranean, Gibraltar, and Egypt. English companies of artificers would have been proposed for the works of the stations named, had the efficiency and conduct of detachments previously sent from Gibraltar to Minorca, Sicily, and other parts of the Mediterranean, war- ranted it ; " but," says Sir Charles Pasley, " as the Gibraltar companies were, from circumstances, the worst in the corps, the detachments formed from them ♦ * • * were found so very inefficient, that Maltese and Sicilians were preferred to Britons in the Mediterranean, for the important service of the royal engineer department." ^ As well from this, as iiom other local * and economical considerations, the Government approved of the measure, and the royal authority for its accomplishment being obtained, the companies were formed on the 1st May. The Mediterranean or war company consisted of — 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 100 privates, 1 diummer, 10 boys. Total . .119 and the companies for Ma'ta and Gozo, numbered each — 2 sergeants, 4 corporals, 60 privates, 1 drummer, 10 boys. Total . .77 An adjutJint from the royal engineers was appointed to the 1st conipaiiy, and one, a foreigner — Matteo Bonavio'' — to the other two companies at Malta and Gozo, to which was also •> Pasley's ' Elementary Fortification,' note a, p. iv. * In tlie treaty of Amicus it was stipiilnteU that uHC-half the soldiers in the garrison at Malta should be natives ; and although the treaty had been violated by Napoleon, Great Britain still regarded its provisions, in this respect at least, as sacred and obligatory. ' Styled, by local usage, " Assistant Knginvcr." 156 . HISTORY OF THE [180tj. added one sergeant-major and quartermaster-sergeant Guiscppe Sinerco, stationed at Malta. The totjil number of these companies with the staff amounted to 276. The pay of the war company was assimihited to that of the royal milit/-lmi companies.— Journals of Sieges, ii., note 38, p. 389, 2nd edit. 168 HISTORY OF THE ri8oe. By the authority of the warrant alluded to, the establishment of each company was remodelled, the ranks of Sub-Lieutenant and second corporal were created, and the total of all ranks jer company increased from 100 to 126. Under the previous sys.V>m of detachinpf men, the com])anies were mutilated, dis- ordered and reduced ; but under this enlarged organization, it was considered they would be more accessible, and better able ;o afford such accidental assistance as might be needed, without diminishing the companies to an inconvenient strength, or without particular detriment to the station. The subjoined detail shows the approved composition of a company at this period. 1 Sub-Lieutcnant,° a new rank, with pay of 5a. a-n<^l"ding slaters, tiles, and plasterers. 10 Smiths, U) Miners, 4 Wheelers, 4 Collar Makers, 2 Coopers, 2 Painters, 4 Drummers. Total. 126 The total establishment of the corps, including the adjutant and sergeant-major on the staff, amounted to 1,514, exhibit- ing an increase above the foraier establishment of 439 men ; ' Styled Second Lieutenants in the warrant by mistake. The Sub-Lieuten- ants were junior to the Second Lieutenants of engineers, but held rank with Second Lieutenants of the line, according to dates of commission. This right was often questioned, but never, as long as the Sub- Lieutenants were attached to the corps, officially settled. In IS.'iS the position of a Sub-Lieutenant f H. B. Mackenzie), who had joined tb'; line as paymaster being disputed, it was then settled that Sith-Licutcnants -were junior to Jutisiytin, '" Subsequently increased to 5s. 7rf. a-day, and after seven years' service to 6s. 7(/. a-day. '> Holding comparative station with corporals of the line, according to date of promotion. 1806.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MFNERS. 159 and its expense for one year, exclusive of the workinj» pay and other miscellaneous allowances, reached the sum of 45,500/, 17«. Tit?. "With the three companies of Maltese artificers, the coqw mustered a force of 1,790 officers, non- commissioned officei-s, and men. As a means of encouraging the men to exertion and good behaviour, their working pay was permitted to be increased, under the authority of the warrant before mentioned, from 6(Z. to 9d. or Is. a-day. The non-commissioned officers inva- riably received the highest rate. None, however, could be advanced from the lowest to the superior rates without firet being recommended to the commanding royal engineer at the station, by the junior officers, foremen, or overseers ; and this system of rewards, except for special services, has been observed in the corps ever since. The sergeant-majors who received the first commissions had been in the artillery, and were distinguished for their good services and bravery. To their zeal and expertness as soldiers, they added an intimate knowledge of drill and discipline — re- quisites of essential importance in the organization of a new force, but which, from the vague and indefinite character of the corps, became, almost necessarily, too temporizing and elastic to be sufficiently beneficial or respected. Efforts had on one or two particular occasions been made to avoid the faults and supply the omissions of earlier years ; but the improvement before alluded to, had not reached the expectations of those who felt an interest in the corps. One obvious reason was, the nominal appointment of officers to com- panies, who were so incessantly shifted, that it was not uncom- mon to find a company passing under the command of three or four different officers in the course of twelve months ; '* and another was, tiic reluctance with which some commanding " This may be regarded as a favourable view of the case. Sir John Jones states, " Kuch company was cnmnianded for the moment by the senior Captain of engineers, who might happen to be placed on duty wherever the company might be; so that it was not unfrequent for a company to be commanded by five or six captains in as many months." — Journal of Sieges, ii. note 38, p. .'3811, 2iid mlit. 160 IIIRTOBY OF THE [1806. officers permitted the temporary withdrawal of the men from the works for the purposes of drill and discipline." The free use of the means to train the men to subordination and the use of arms, to restrain them from irregularities, and fully to develop the organization and purposes for which the corps wa.s raised, being thus interrupted, naturally tended to vitiate and lower its military pride, spirit, and appearance. Raid and grey-headed non-commissioned officers with ages varying from forty-five to sixty-five, good artificers and fore- men, but lacking the energy and demeanour of soldiers, were no rarities in the royal military artificers. Disinclined to learn, they but very imperfectly understood their military station, and seldom exercised their authority, except in the emollient guise of persuasion and advice. On all sides there was a yielding, that in some measure obliterated the lines of dis- tinction between the diflPerent grades. Their interests seemed to be reciprocal and interwoven, and the best workman was generally esteemed the best man. Almost every military idea was sacrificed for " the works," in which it would be hazardous to say, that they did not labour with ability and industry. To check the growth of these unmilitary principles and practices, to enforce respect for position and authority, and to assist in maintaining in the corps the exercise of proper dis- cipline and drill, the Sul)-Lieutenants were established. Their duties were like those of adjutants, whom they superseded, and were, therefore, held responsible to their Captains for the conduct, efficiency, internal management, and payment of their respective companies. This, however, was but a transient expedient. An instalment only of the good that was expected was realised ; " and it was left for a later period to enlarge and perfect what in this year, though spiritedly commenced, fell considerably short of success. " Paslcy's ' Elementary Fortification,' note A, p. iii. " Ibid., note f, p. xvii. 1807.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 161 1807, Appointments of Adjutant and Quartermaster — Captain John T. Jones — Dis- asters at Buenos Ayres — Egypt — Reinforcement to Messina — Detachment of Maltese military artificers to Sicily — Newfoundland — Copenhagen — Cap- tures in the Caribbean Sea — Madeira — Danish Islands in the West Indies — Hythe. It having been determined to consolidate the appointments of Adjutant and Quartermaster to the royal military artificers, Major John Rowley ' and Colonel George W. Phipps* resigned their offices. To succeed to the vacancies thus created, Captain John Thomas Jones, an officer of undoubted ability and military experience, was brought from Sicily, and on the 1st January commissioned to hold both appointments.^ Upon him, there- fore, devolved the difficult task of arranging and directing the details of the new organization both at home and abroad, and of carrying into effect a general system of drill and discipline.^ ' In the earlier years of his appointment he was much at Woolwich, and personally superintended the affairs of the corps ; bat for some years prior to the uew organization, his duties in London seldom permitted him to visit the head-quarters. • Colonel Phipps wap never present with the corps. As Quartermaster, he performed his duties in London. In consideration of his relinquishing the Qiiartermastership, and also for his good services, he was granted by His Majesty an allowance of 10s. a-day.— ' Accounts of Ordnance, House of Commons,' 1816, p. 31. " ' Loudon Gazette,' 20th to 24th January, 1807. * ' United Service Journal,' ii., 1843, p. 110. 'Jones's Sieges,' ii., note 38, p. 389, 2nd edit. VOL. I. M 162 HISTORY OF THE '1807. In this duty he continued until July, 1808, when, ordered on a particular service to the Asturias, he resigned the staff rank. From the time of the appointment of Captain .1. T. .Tones, the Adjutant was permanently stationed at the head -quarters at Woolwich, and his ofBce also wiis established there. Early in the year an expedition was sent against Chili under Major-Gcneral CVawford, accompanied by a sergeant and ten artificers under Captain J. Squire, R.E. Instead of proceeding to (!hili, counter orders were received, and Captain Stjuire and his eleven men sailed with the force to Buenos Ayres. Arriving at Monte ; Video on the 14th June, they were accordingly landed and took part in the disastrous attack on Buenos Ayres, in which all the artificers were taken prisoners, and so remained until January, 1808, when they quitted with the force under General Whitelocke. On the 6th March, Msijor-General Frazer, at the head of a small armament, sailed from Messina to dispossess the Turks of Egypt. To this force were attached, under Captain J. F. Burgoyne, royal engineers, four of the military artificers fur- nished from the detachment in Sicily, who embarked on the 19th February. Having in due time landed at Alexandria, they served at the capture of that city, also in the attack of llosetta, and in the retreat to Alexandria. In September following these four artificers rejoined the party at Messina. In the meantime the detachment at Messina was reinforced by a sergeant, one corjjoral, and eighteen privates of the Gib- raltar companies, under Lieutenant George J. Harding, R.E., who embarked at the Rock on the 14th April. AVith the exception of the non-commissioned officers, this party was com- posed of irreclaimable drunkards, worthless alike as artificers or soldiers. From the inefficiency of these men, the Maltese war company was ordered to furnish its contingent for service in Sicily, and accordingly a detachment of one sergeant — Evan Roberts — one corporal, and twenty-nine artificers, embarked at Malta on board the 'Charlotte' transport on the 23rd, and landed at 1807.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 163 Messina on the 30th July. In the autumn following, the whole of tlie party with two men of the royal military artificers as foremen, were detached to Augusta and Syracuse, to be cm- ployed on the works under sergeant Roberts. Newfoundland now became a station for the corps. A detachment of eighteen non-commissioned officers and men, all masons and miners, embarked at Plymouth in May, on board His Majesty's ship ' Isis,' under Captain George Ross of the royal engineers, and arrived there in July. Before the end of August, the detachment was further strengthened by six arti- ficers from^alifax, Nova^Scotia Until proper accommodation could bV provided, they lived in huts like the Esquimaux or emigrant fishermen, or under canvas in a dreaiy uncleared valley between Signal Hill and the sea. In some measure to relieve the monotony and mitigate the rigours of an inhospitable country and climate, permission was granted to the men to spread their nets in the waters near St. John, and to catch as much fish as was needfiil for the sustenance of themselves and families. Provisionally, also, the married portion of the detach- ment were allowed small allotments of land, which they cleared and cultivated at intervals, when they were not employed on the works. From these sources of occupation they were kept in constant industry and amusement, and their health effectually preserved and invigorated. Two sergeants, two corporals, six second corporals, and forty- one artificers, with Captain Fletcher, R.E., embarked at Wool- wich for Copenhagen on the 29th July, and landed there the 16th August. In the bombardment of that capital they served under the immediate direction of Lieutenant-Colonel R, D'Arcy, R.E. ; and, in returning to England, served as Marines under Lieutenant Bassett of the royal navy. The party rejoined their companies on the 7th November. One second corporal and three privates of the West India company were embarked in August, on board His Majesty's ship ' Blonde,' V. V. Ballard, Captain, to act as artificers and seamen during a short cruise in the Caribbean sea ; and while M 2 164 HISTORY OK THE fl807. forming part of the crew of this ship, they served at the guns in the cajjture of the undernamed French privateers : — OUIIB. Men. 1 5th August • . . 'La Dame Villaret' . 5 69 IGth „ . . . ' L'Hortcnie ' . . 8 00 14th September . . 'L'Hirondelle'. . . 8 84 23rd . * Duquesne ' • . . 17 123 14th October . . . 'Alerte'. . . . . iO 149 An expedition was sent to Madeira in October under General Beresford, to which was added a detachment from the Spike Island company of one corporal, one second corporal, and ten privates, under Captain A. Morshead, royal engineers. They landed in December, and were stationed at Funchal until May, 1812, when they were withdrawn and despatched to their com- panies in Portugal. In December, General Bowyer ordered a party of the West India company to be attached to his expedition about to sail against the Danish islands of St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. Three sergeants, four corporals, and forty-two privates were accordingly selected, and embarked for that service on the 16th December ; but the islands having surrendered with- out resistance, the detachment rejoined at Barbadoes on the 13th January, 1808. A sergeant was left at St. Croix to super- intend repairs to barracks, &c. Six mechanics belonging to the Danish service, taken prisoners at St Thomas and St. Croix, enlisted into the company. Throughout the year a small party of the Dover company was employed on the works at Hythe, under sergeant Adam Cowan, and continued so occupied for several years. 1808,] llOYAL SAITERS AND MINERS. lOfl 1808. War in the Peniasula — Expedition thither — Detachment* to the seat of war, with Captains Landmaun, Elphiustone, Squire, Burgoyue, and Smyth — ■ Captain John T. Jones— neiuforcement to Newfoundland — Discipline at Halifax — Services at Messina— Parties temporarily detached to different places — The queue. NAroLKON had now fairly reared his eagles in Spain and Por- tugal, and compelled the reigning monarchs of those countries to renounce their thrones. To his brother Joseph he gave the sovereignty of the former kingdom, retaining for himself the sceptre of the latter. England, more indignant than alarmed at these spoliations, but eager to dispossess the invader of his acquisitions, at once willingly responded to the desire of Por- tugal to restore the dynasty of Braganza to the throne, and also tendered her assistance, uninvited, to Spain, to carry on the war. No sooner had the ministry determined upon sending suc- cours to the Peninsula to effect the overthrow of Napoleon, than different expeditions were fitted out and sent to the seat of war. Small parties of the military artificers, selected from the various companies of the corps, were at the same time forwarded with these forces. On the 13th May, two miners, under C^iptain G. Landmann, royal engineers, were sent from Gibraltar to Cadiz with the division under General Brent Spencer, and were afterwards removed to the scene of active operations in Portugal. On the 18th June, one sevgeant, one second corporal, and eleven privates, armed with small swords only, embarked at Woolwich under Captain Elphinstone, R.E., and joined the force under Sir Arthur Wellesley. Both these parties were lee lIlSTOliY OF TIIK 1808. present at the battle of Rolicja on the 17th August, and Viniiera on the 2l! habit and labour, and somewhat addicted to the prevailinjf" vice of intemjjerance ; but even these worn-out men he moulded by his once a-wcek drill into an appearance which enabled them to march past creditably with the Line on the Sunday garrison parades. Most of the company had been many years in the Province, and though not very tight and tidy soldiers, were nevertheless valuable as workmen and specially useful as foremen when military work! ig parties were employed. Both parties employed in restoring the fortresses at Syracuse and Augusta were recalled to Messina, and assisted to repair and improve the defences of that place. At the Cape of Good IIoj)e parties were detached at inter- vals during the year to Stellenbosch, Simon's Town, and Ilout's Bay ; and at Iljdifax to St. Andrews and Fort Clarence. At the latter fort, the non-commissioned officer detached was employed surveying. From Newfoundland a detaclnnent was sent to Cape Breton ; and from Gibraltar, also, second corporal Thomas Paul and four privates were detached to Percxil, a small islet opposite the Rock between Outa and Aj)es' Hill, where they dismantled all its batteries, magazines, and store- houses. Parties were also employed at Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight. The time-honoured queue, which had long formed a con- spicuous appendage to the soldier's head-dress, wjis abolished in the corps in August ; and the closely-cropped hair of the present day, and snuill whisker extending to the lobe of the ear, were then adopted. 168 HISTORY OF THE ' 1809. 1809. Retreat to Coruiia— Miserable state of the detachment on reaching England — Hardships of tl\e stragglers— Capture of Martinique — Skill of George Mitchell at the siege — Fever in the West Indies— Reduction of the Saintes — Detachment to Portugal — Battles of Oporto and Talavera — Casualties in the retreat, and distribution of t'us party — Naples — Zante and the Ionian Islands — Term of service of the Maltese military artificers — Siege of Flush- iiig — Services of the military artificers there —Gallantry, in the batteries, of John Millar, Thorn is Wild, and Thomas I^tts — Conduct of corps at the siege — Casualties by the Walohe.'en fever — Skilful conduct of Corporal T. Stevens in the demolitions at Flushing — Captain John T. Jones— Ser- vants— Incidental detachments. ExoEFriNG the two miners with General Spencer, the whole of the royal military artificers in Spain joined Sir John Moore's army. When the force was put in motion, the senior sergeant of *he detachment was left at Lisbon for special duty. The remainder accompanied the army in the retreat, and with the exception of two men taken prisoners and seven stragglers, were present at the battle of Coruna. Immediately after, the detachment embarked for England. The season being stormy there was no regularity in the arrivals. Some, therefore, landed a. Portsmouth and others at Plymouth between Janu <"v and March. They were destitute of every article essential to their comfort or equipment. Several were shoeless and clad in tatters and undistinguishable uniforms ; while the majority, haggard and attenuated, suffering from shipwreck, privivtion, and sickness, afforded indubitable evidence of the severe and arduous campaign, through which the neces- sities of war had recently carried them. Left to their own resources, the seven stragglers retraced 1809. J ROYAL HAITKUS AND MINK US. 109 their steps, between 300 and 400 miles, to Lisbon. In under- taking the journey, during a very inclement season, they encountered many dangers, endured frequent trials and hard- ships, and barely supported life upon the scanty ofFtrings which chance and a ransacked country afforded them. On the 28th January, three sergeants and seventy-one rank and file of the West India company, under the command of Brigad'jr-General Shipley, embarked at Barbadoes with Lieu- tenant-General Beckwi^h's expedition and landed at Martinique on the 30th. The company was further increased by a ser- geant, three corporals, and seventeen artificers under Lieutenant Robert Thomson, royal engineers, who embarked at Halifax, Nova-Scotia, with Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost's division. Both parties, when noi engaged as overseers, were employed in the general labour cf the trenches and the park, and perfoiined the duties allotted to them, particularly in the destruction of Forts Bourbon and Ucsaix, with activity and zeal. Several non-commissioned officers and men were distin- guished by special commendation ; and the skill of corporal George Mitchell gained for him the reputation of being the best miner in the service. Private George Thomas was killed 22nd February in the advanced battery before Fort Bourbon. After the surrender of Martinique it became the head-quarters of the comi)any. The Nova Scotia party returned with Sir George Prevost and landed at Halifax the 17th A])ril. During the operations the rains were heavy and incessant, and the men bei» , much exposed, fevers: and dysentery were rife among them. By the end of the year, twenty-one of the company had died and five were invalided. In April, two sergeants and seventeen rank and file were present at the reduction of the Saintes under the command of Lieutenant llobbs, R.E., and were employed during the service in the construction of the required batteries, magazines, &c. The party returned to Martinique the latter end ^! the month. A detachment of oni sergeant and eighteen rank and file embarked at Portsmouth, cm the 14tii March, under the com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher, for Portugal, and arrived 170 HIISTORY OF THE [1809. at Lisbon on the 5th April. It was composed of men cliosen from the Portsmouth and Gosport companies, among whom were several who had served in the previous campaign. ^Vriting from Portsmouth, the Colonel says, " I find that all the men now here, who were with me before, are very anxious to go out again, but one cannot ask for everybody." On arriving at Lisbon the party was joined by a sergeant and the seven stragglers of the (^orufia party. It was 4ius increased to iwenty-eight total, and shortly afl^' a; t private from England was added to the number. On the 12th May was fought the battle of Oporto : twenty- five men of the artificers were present 'I'hcy afterwards re- paired the wooden bridge which, led into the to« n. Moving with the army they mustered at Coimbra on the 1st June, and at Castello Branco on the 1st July. At the battle of Talavera, on the 27th of that month, fifteen of the detachment were present. Private Aaron Delacourt was taken prisoner while endeavouring to convey to the rear (,'aptain Boothby of the royal engineers, who was wounded, and had his leg amputated. Of the artificers not present at the battle, two were at Lisbon, three on route to join the army, four at Abrantcs, sick ; and one on the Alberche. With the exception of two at Lisbon all joined at Talavera before tiie end of .July. A severe retreat succeeded the battle, in wbi"] 'mc suffered very much. At Merida they were m:::i! 1st September. IJsbon was their head-quarters n. " .." at which time tlioy were rcatiy scattered. A sergeai was at Lisbon and the rest were distributed as follows: — one Abrantes, one Badajos, one Oeyras, four Soul, and six Torres Vedras. (3f the other artificers in PortUji... .ir were in tiie general hospital sick, and one a prisoner of war. The casual- ties since the opening of the campaign were six deaths, two missing, and two invalided to England. The company of Maltese military artificers al Messina was increased in April by seventeen rank and file fr ) ■ Malta. On the Ist June following, sergeant Roberts and i!ir -eight men of the company, were attaclied to the expedition Ic- •hk. hivaoion |), rty (1 the inlv 1809. HOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 171 of Naples. Twelve of the royal military artificers also wei.t with the expedition, and served under the command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel A. Bryce, royal engineers, in the reduction of the islands of Ischia and Procida. Returning to Messina in August, six of the royal and eight of the Maltese artificers were added to the' force under Briga- dier-General Oswald, and were present, on the 2nd October, at the surrender of Zante and other Ionian islands. These parties conliimed at Zante until after the taking of Santa Maur^ in the next year. A he Maltese artificers being enlisted for a terra of three years only, their engagements expired in the summer. Upwards of sixty men consequently claimed their discharge, and in July the third Maltese company was re-formed. In the mean time a force of one sub-lieutenant— George Robinson — two sergeant-majors — Joseph Forbes and John Smith — ten sergeants, and about 280 rank and file ' had been selected for an CApedition to Iljlland under the Earl of Chatham, to destroy the fleet and arsenals on th.e Scheldt. The youngest and most active men were chosen fp; the service, and were provided with swords and belts. The greater por- tion were also armed with muskets, under an impression that they would have to fight their way on shore. The detachment was divided into two operations to proceed against Flushing and Antwerj) ; the former under the command of Lieutenant-Colunel R. D'Arcy, R.E., tlie latter under Colonel Fyers, R.E. Both brigades embarked the I'Jth July, and having landed near Goes and Walcheren, a sma'.i force was employed in the operations in South Beveland under ('aptain Squire, R.E., and the re- mainder, with Sub-Lieutenant Robinson, were engaged in the bombardment of Flushing. The meditated attack on Antwerp was abandoned. Private Anthony Webster was kille'' at the seamen's battery on the 13th August, and two men were wounded. ■ In .lones's 'Sieges,' vol. ii., p. 'ilJU, 2nd edit., the number, including the sub-lieutenant, is shown as 'J(il only ; at p. Iir>, the total of all ranks is stated to be li'ti ; but both strengths differ i'roin the actual force engaged. 178 HISTORY OF THE "1800. During the bombardment, fifty of the detachment were per- manently employed in making fascines and gabions, and about eighty carpenters prepared and put up the splinter-proof maga- zines and laid the platforms. The remainder were distributed to the batteries as sappei-s and miners or overseers. One of the batteries which was required in a hurry was worked solely by the royal military artificers, and completed in twenty-eight hours." Generally they attended to the more diflScult and dangerous portion of the batteries, and besides repairing the parapets and platforms, improved the embrasures when injured by the enemy's cannonade. In this service privates John Millar," Tl.omas Wild, and Thomas Letts acted very praiseworthily in situations of great danger, and showed examples of courage, zeal, and attention to duty much beyond the rest of the detachment. On occasions when particular p}.rts of the batteries were broken, these men fearlessly forced themselves into the embrasures to renew the work. The firing upon them was usually heavy. To effect their purpose with less interruption, they spr.-ad across the mouths of the embi .3ures, wet bulls' hides with the hairy sur- faces to the fortress ; and bearing as they did a resemblance to the newly disturbed earth, the enemy was deceived and with- drev/ their firing upon the work. The injured parts of the embrasures were thus restored with incredible dexterity. The two former were promoted to be second-corporals for their gallantry, and a similar rise was offered to Letts but he pre- ferred to remain a private. The conduct of the detachment at Walcheren is thus noticed by the Earl of Chatham :^ — "The active and persevering ex- ertions of the corps of royal engineers have been conducted with much skill and judgment by Colonel l''yers, aided by Lieu- tenant-Colonel D'Arcy."* Elsewhere their exertions in the con- struction of the batteries are stated to have been indefatitjable,* ' Jones's 'Sieges,' vol. ii., p. 279, 2nd edit. " Was left property to the amount of nm)l. and purchased his discharge in 1810. *' London Gillette.' • Uurgrave's ' Account of Walcheren and South Hcveland,' p. Hi, edit. 1812. 100. 1800/, ROYAL SAl'PEUS AND MINERS. 173 )er- out ga- tefl of 'l.V nd the After the occupation of Flushing, the fever common to tlie country set in with peculiar virulence ; and the royal military artificers suffered very severely. Employed as they frequently were in conducting excavations in marshy and unhealthy situa- tions, nearly the whole of the detachment were seized with the malady and thirty-seven died. Sergeant-major Forbes was of the number. By repeated removals of the sick, the detachment was reduced to about eighty of all ranks, who were employed, previously to the evacuation of the island, in the demolition of the basin of Flushing and the naval defences of the place under Lieutenant- Colonel Pilkington, royal engineers. Second-corporal Thomas Stephens was intrusted with the practical conduct of the de- struction of one of the piers of the flood-gates. The task imposed on him was so ably executed, that when the explosion took place, the bottom of the pier was forced out and the superincumbent masonry fell without projecting a stone to any distance. Though only a second corporal he was appointed lance-sergeant on the spot for his skilful conduct. Captain John T. .Jones, the adjutant, was removed from the royal military artificers, on the 1st July by promotion, and wiis succeeded in the api)oIntmeiit by Captain Gilbert Buciianan, RE. In reorganizing tlie corps. Captain Jones had effected considerable improvements and raised in a high degree its morale and military efficiency. The practice of employing men of the corps as servants to oflUcers of royal engineers was discontinued in August. On active service the custom was found to be a great disadvantage. Stringent measures were therefore adopted to prevent its re- currence ; and to this day, the officers are required to aflSrm quarterly, that they do not employ any men of the corps in their private service. Detachments are traced during the year at the following new stations : — to Alderney, seven rank and file were removed from Guernsey by order of Lieutenant-Geiieral Sir John Doyle. Two armourers were employed in the royal manufac- tory for small arms at Lewishani, and continued cm this service '111 i If IM HISTORY OP THE [1809. for many years. The Eastbourne party was scattered along the Sussex coast, working chiefly at Hastings and Bulverhithe. The Newfoundland company gave a strong party for the King's works at the south side of the harbour, which remained there for many months. A non-commissioned officer of the Halifax company was employed on a tour of inspection to Cape Breton and Prince Edward's Island ; and the detachment at the Cape of Good Hope was distributed to Simon's Town, Hout's Bay, King's Blockhouse, and Muyzenberg. 1810.] IIOYAL SAPPEPS AND MINERS. 175 1810. Capture of Guadaloupe— Of St. Martin's and St. Eustatins — Tcrres Vedras — Anecdote of Corpoi-al WiUiam Wilson at the Lines— Almeida and Busaco— Dctaclimeuts to Cadiz — Pnutales and La Isla — Destruction of Forts Barbara and St. Felipe, near Gibraltar — Santa Maura — Occasional detachments. On the 22nd January, Colonel William Johnston and Lieu- tenant Ilobbs, royal engineers, with three sergeants and forty- five rank and file of the West India company, embarked at Martinique under Lieutenant-General Beckwith. The detach- ment was appointed to the fifth or reserve brigade under the command of Brigadier-General Wale ; and having landed at St Mary's Capisterre, served at the taking of Guadaloupe. A small party under Captain Ilobbs, R.E., afterwards accom- panied the force under Brigadier-General Ilarcourt, and was present at the capture of the islands of St. Martin's and St. Eustatius. The celebrated Lines of Torres Vedras, commenced in October, 1809, were fully completed late in 1810. The number of the roytal military artificers employed in their con- struction never exceeded eighteen of all ranks, who were distributed in ones and twos throughout the ^hole extent of country to be intrenched.' Under the superintendence and control of their officers, they directed the labours of many hundreds of the peasantry. Some of the party were responsible for the efficient services of no less than 500 to 700 workmen. In this duty second -corporal William Wilson and private James Douglas rendered themselves conspicuous by their skill and activity. Both were promoted in consequence. (Jorjjoral Wilson was selected by (Colonel Fletcher, the com- manding engineer, to be his orderly, in which capacity he served until the deatli of his chief at St. Sebastian. At Tonvs Vedras ' .Innes's Lines of Lisbon, 1820, p. 78. m HISTORY OF THE [1810 the corporal had charge of a work, and a party of the Portu- guese Ordcnanza Militia was placed under his orders to execute it. Two of the men were put to a task to be com- pleted within a certain time ; but regarding the work as impos- sible, they refused to comply and comi)lained to their officer, who took their part and was inclined to censure the corporal. However, with more manliness than soldier-like propriety, the corporal offered to bet the officer a dollar that he would accom- plish the tiisk himself within the time. The bet was accepted. Corporal Wilson stripped, easily won his dollar, and prevented the recurrence of similar complaints during the progress of the Lines. Four of the royal military artificers were attached to the army on the Coa, and were present at the action near Almeida in July, and the battle of Busaco in September. Retreating with the army to Torres Vedras, the four men rejoined the detachment, and the whole continued to do duty in the Lines until removed for more active service. On the 13th March, one corporal and eleven men of the Portsmouth and Gosport companies embarked with the force under Sir Thomas Graham for Cadiz. The non-commissioned officers were " careful trusty persons," and the men " stout, able, and good tradesmen." They landed fi-om the ' Concord * transport on the 24th March, and were commanded by Major C. Lcfebure, royal engineers, until he received his death wound, which took place in April as he was descending the walls of the fortress of Matagorda during its evacuation. Meanwhile a reinforcement from Portsmouth increased the party to two sergeants and forty-eight rank and file ; and in October it was again augmented, by artificers selected from the different com- panies, to three sergeants, nine corporals, five second-corporals, two drummers, and seventy-three privates, with Sub-Lieutenant R. Davie. The last draft landed at Cadiz from the ' Diadem ' transport. In defending the fort of Puntales, which sustained a bom- bardment from across the water, a portion of the company was always employed. There private Benjamin Hall was killed, 1810.1 ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINKRS, 177 •r. and several privates were injured by a wall, under which they were mining, falling on them. The remainder of the company were occupied in fortifying the position of La Isla for the de- fence of (^'adiz. Their particular duty consisted in making plat- forms, j)alisa(les, &c., and in acting as overseers to the military working parties of the line, assisted by artificers drawn from the regiments in garrison. The principal share of the work was done by task, which, being laid out beforehand, the royal military artificers showed the workmen their respective por- tions as soon as they arrived on the ground,^ and superintended its correct execution, both in quantity and dcUiil. At La Isla, the company was stationed at the park, and domiciled in one of the powder-magazines which had been made defensible. Under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Evatt and Captain G. J. Harding, royal engineers. Forts Barbara and St. I'elipe, on the Spanish lines in front of Gibraltar, were demolished by a strong detaciiment from the two companies stationed at tho fortress. The operations occupied a few months ; and during the work the detachment was covered by a force from the garrison of 500 to 800 soldiers. In firing a mine near St Felipe, private John Bfirber lost an ann, both eyes, and part of his chin and teeth. In springing another mine near Tarifa, private Thomas Hughes was killed. From Zante a party of five royal and eighteen Maltese military artificers siiiled with the force under Brigadier- General Oswald, and were present on the 16th April at the capture of Santa Maura. This service efll'cted, the detachment returned to Messina, leaving for the works of the newly-ciptured island a corporal and a mason of the royal military artifii^ers. During the year, parties or individuals of the corps were employed on particular service abroad — at Ceuta, Tariff., and at Sidney in Cape Breton ; while, at home, men were detached to Ilythe, Isle of Wight, and Northfleet. At the latter place the party was employed, from August to December, in sur- veying under Mr. Stanley of the royal military surveyors and draftsmen. ' Prof. Papere," iii., p. 94. vol.. I. K 178 HISTOUY OF THE [1811. 1811. Mortality in the West Indies — Strength and distribution of detachments in the Peninsula — Recapture of Olivcnza — Field instruction prior to siege of Ua- dajoz — Conduct of corps at tlie siege — Conduct of Sergeant Rogers in recon- noitring— Reinforcement to Portugal and duties of the detachment — Its distribution and services — Battle of Rarrosa ; gallant conduct of Sergeant John Cameron — Tarragona — Defence of Tarifa— Augmentation to corps and reconstruction of companies — Annual expense of corps — Commnnd of the companies — Their stationary character — Tbe wealthy corporal — New distri- bution of corps — Commissions to SuI>-l.i> a;enauts, and ingenious inven- tions of Lieutenant Munro. The West India company being gradually reduced to about fifty men, it was strengthened in March to 110, by the arrival at Barbadoes, in the 'Flora' transport, of fifty- eight men. During the years 1810 and 1811 the number of deaths in the company from yellow fever was thirty. The detachment of the corps in Portugal was increased to seventy-eight of all ranks, by the landing at Lisbon of two sergeants and fifty-seven rank and file under Lieutenant P. Wright of the royal engineers. Thirty-four of the reinforce- ment were forthwith sent to the Lines of Torres Vcdras and the Almada position ; and the remaining twenty-five joined the head-quarters of the array, under Caj)tain George Ross and Lieutenant Stanway.' While these movements were being effected, two artificers of the detachment were present at the recapture of Olivenza in April, under the command of Captain Squire, K.E.- Soou after the reduction of Olivenza the siege party was augmented to twenty-seven, by the arrival at Elvas of twenty- five men under Captiiin George Ross. Of this increase not a man had ever seen the construction of a sap, battery, or trench. ' Jones's ' Sieges' vol. i. p. 377, 2nd edit. ' Ibid. p. C. 1811.1 ROYAL SAPI'ERS AND MINKRS. 17i» The wliolc were tliereforc daily drilled in the formation of field- works and in making fasciiicH and jraltions;' In these instruc- tional operations they soon acquired sufficient kn()wlcdn;e to render themselves useful to their officers ; and, at the same time, showed intellijfence and alacrity in aidinj^ in the con- struction of the flying-bridges across the Guadiana at Jura- menha. These twenty-seven men were employed in the first siege of Badajoz. Eeduced by two, they were also ])resent at the second seigc of that fortress. On both occasions the dilijjence tind exertions of the detachment were prominent ; and, assisted by the line workmen, they quickly repaired the broken batteries and damaged embrasures. " Many a fine fellow," says a well- known author, " lost his life in endeavouring to vie with the men of the engineers." ■* In the second siege, on the night before the storming, sergeant William Rogers, and three intrepid lucn of the corps, accom- panied (^aj)tain Patton, 1{.E., on the dangerous service of reconnoitring the fords of the Kivillas, and the approach to the castle breach beyond the river. They conducted the examina- tion for a time and then returned to the works for a file of men as a guard. ^Vith this escort they retraced their steps ; but left it behind at a short distance from the breach, when the cajjtain and bis "trusty sergeant" went forward alone and completed the reconnaissance. In returning to the guard the captain stumbled, and the clanking of his sword drawing the attention of the French sentinels, they fired, and he fell mor- tally wounded. Sergeant Rogers protected his cajjtain till he gained the escort, with whose assistance he I'ccocded in bearing him alive to the trenches, (.\iptain Patton was able to make his report of the practicability of the assault and soon after- wards expired.* Sergeant Rogers died at Fuente Guinaldo in the following August. Of him Colonel Fletcher wrote : " he " Jones's ' Sieges,' vol. i., p. 10, 2nd edit. * ' United Service .lournal,' ii., 1831, p. 329. ■'' Jones's 'Sieges,' vol. i., p. 70, 2nd edit. ' United Service Journal,' ii., 183], p. 331. n2 180 lUSTdlfY ol-' THE [1811. was an attentive, good soldier, and in every way a most esti- mable character." In May the detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher received an addition of thirty-nine men ; and on tiio 2'Jth .June a further reinforcement of sixty-three non-connnissioned officers and men under Lieutenants Melhuish and De Salaberry, royal engineers. In consequence of this augmentation, the men of the infantry acting as overseers and mechanics on the lines, rejoined their respective regiments; and the pobts thus vacated were occupied by the newly-arrived detachments of military artificers." The whole force of the corps in I'or' \1 amounted in July to 8 sergeants, 5 corporals, IG secoi torals, 3 drummers, and 145 privates; total, 177. Of thio .ioer a comparatively small party only was kept with the army, whilst the remainder were distributed to the lines, Sobral, Oeyras, the Almada position, Peniche, Abrantcs, Alhandra, Fort St. Julian, &c. In conducting the works at those places, " the abilities and good conduct of the men were found of the utmost advantage." At I'ort St. Julian particularly, where they were enii)loyed in the formation of four extensive jetties for the embarkation of troops in case of necessity, their skill and expertness were found of great importance. Sergeant John M'Kay had the executive superintendence of the work under the direction of Captain Ilolloway, ll.E. The detachment with the moving army was broken up into sections of five or six men to each division or corjjs, and one or other of them was at the blockade of Almeida, Fuentes d'Onoro, Albuera, Campo Maior, and the several other actions which occurred in the Peninsula during the campaign of 18JJ. From Cadiz Sub-I^ieutenant Davie and fifty men under Captain J. F. Birch of the royal engineers, were detached with Sir Thomas Graham's force, and landed at Algeciras 22nd February. Being armed with short swords only. Sir Thomas caused them to be furnished with such spare nniskets, accoutre- ments, and amnmnition as could be collected, to defend them- ' Jones's ' Sieges,' toI. i., p. 90, 2nd edit. 1811.1 liOYAI, HAi'PKIlS AM) MINKHS. INl 8clv«'9 if iieccHsary on the march. They won* then placfd at the head of the cohimn to remove obstruetiona and faeilitate the adviiiiee of tlic nriny. On the .'ith Marcli, Barrona was foufflit, and tlie detiiehinent of artificers was present in tiie battle. Here sergeant .loini ("atneron {jrave a manifestation of his zeal by leadini^ to the ehnrpc a section of seven men. They jm'ssed wiierc the tii. id. a-day. They worked with attention and spirit. In six months all the authorized renewals and improve- ments were executed ; and in May, a further sum of 8,700^. having been voted for completing the defences of the island, additional works were commenced to place the fortifications in tv state to sustain a regular siege. In preparing to meet an a])prehend( (1 attack on the island by tin; Danes, corporal Borth- wick made various effective arrangeminits for the dispositioi and emj)loyment of the working parties, and gained the thanks of the JNIilitary Commandant, Major Torrcns, royal marines. Shortly after. Admiral Martin being of opinion that the forti- fications were =uHiciently tenable to stand an attack, the works were suspended; and in August, 1812, Borthwick and his overseers returned to England. For his conduct and services at Anliolt he was promoted to be sergeant ; and a commission to a siib-lieutenancy was to have been confei'red on him, but in the interim he became involved in some serious irregularities, which ])revented the reward and ultimately ruined him. St) many detachments had been i)rovided for the colonies and the war, that appeals for reinforcements or more extended aid could only occasionally be attended to. From the Peninsula and elsewhere, therefore, re])rescntations had been made of the necessity for increasing the corj)s, and augmenting the engi- neers' means for carrying on with efficiency the duties of the department. The proposals at length met with due consider- ation ; and on the 28th May a warrant was issued for an improved organization of the corps, enlarging its establishment to an extent connnensurate with the precautions which the dis- turbed sta'e of Eur()|)e rendered advisable. 1811.] ROYAL SAPrElW AND MINERS. 183 The warrant sanctioned an increase of 1,347 men, abolished the rank of company-sergeant-major, added to the number of the s\ib-lieutenants, and divided the corps into four battalions of eight companies, each company being constituted as follows : — Sub-Lieutenant I Sergeants 5 Coi'iiorals 5 Second-Corporals 5 Drummers 3 Carpenters 15 Masons 10 Bricklayers 6 Smiths 4 Wheelers 2 Collar-makers 2 Cooler 1 Miners ' SO Total .... 89 The establishment of the corps was fixed as under : — I Adjutants' .... 4 Serp^'ant-majors ... 4 Quartermaster-Sergeants 4 D am-major .... 1 Sub-Lieutenants 32 Sergeants IfiO Corporals !60 Second-Corporals 160 Drummers 96 Privates 2,240 Total . . . 2,861 exclusive of the three companies of Maltese military artificers. The annual expense oft! corj)^, not including working pay and other fluctuating contirt'.'ucies, amounted to ^7,730^. 14s. 3\d. At this period 5 sub-iieutenants, 1 sergeant-mnjor, and 130 men were employed on the recruiting service. ' A third of whom were to be gardeners, hedgers, or canal-diggers, but only to be enlisted on siieeial authority from head-iiuarters. " These appointments were never conferred. The whoie business of the corps was carried on by an Adjutant, who held his office independently of the battalions. 184 HISTORY OF THE ri8ii. In all practicable cases, general and field-officers were de- prived of the command of companies, which now ceased to be stationary, but were removed by rotation of relief from one station to another, the same as the companies of the royal artillery. The employment of men on detached duties was also discouraged, and companies were composed of a convenient strength to enable them to move in bodies. Upon the stationary condition of the corps a celebrated officer of the royal engineers has made the subjoined correct remarks : — ° " From the close of the American war till the year 1811, all the companies of royal military artificer were kept permanently fixed at their re^jjective stations, both at home and abroad, where they remained for life, in what may, for military men, be styled a state of vegetation ; so that they were, at that period, a vast number of men who had actually grown grey in the corps, who had never entered a transport, nor made a single day's march from the head-quarters of their company. To the men at Gibraltar and other foreign stations the service of the corps was thus rendered almost equivalent to transportation for life. Everywhere they intermixed with civilians ; they married in a proportion unknown in any other corps ; so much so, that the number of women and children belonging to one company was often equal to that of a battalion of the line." '° Under the new arrangement the companies were distributed as follows : — Woolwich .... Chatham .... Portsmouth and Gosport PI) mouth .... Dover (juciTiscy .... Jersey Ciitnimiiies. . 0 CiimpanlcB. Cork 2 Gibraltar 3 Newfoundland ... 1 Halifax 1 West Indies .... 2 Cadiz 'I Portugal 4 " Pasley's ' Elementary Fortification,' note A, p. iv., vol. i. '" There was a William Painter at Gibraltar, whose affluence was something extraordinary. lie enlisted into the corps in .Inly, 1798, and though a man of very useful intelligence, only attained the rank of second-corporal in 1807. He tried to procure his discharge to return to his estate in Cornwall, hut such was the pressure for men, his desire was negatived. His humble position. 1811.J TiOYAL SAPPERS AMU MINERS. 180 with detachments from the above to Eastbourne and tlie Sussex coast, Hythe, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, (Jeylon, Cape of Good Hope, Sicily, the Ionian Islands, and Madeira. Tiie companies at Cadiz were the sixth and seventh of the first battalion ; and those in Portugal were the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth of the second battalion. At this time the co'ps counted a force of nearly 1,500 men. More than half were employed in foreign possessions and colonial defence. The remainder, distributed in home garrisons and the Channel Islands, includ \ a large proportion of aged men, invalids, and recruits. P tie end of the year the reconstruction of the companies was completed ; and from continual accessions of squads of recruits, rapidly equipped and disciplined, the corps was soon in a condition, to a greater extent than heretofore, to meet such incidental necessities as might arise. Eleven sergeants were commissioned to be sub-lieutenants during the year. Some joim d from the royal artillery. All were distinguished either as sdldiers or artificers, particularly Sub-Lieutenant Mum' who was an " injvenious and skilful mec.ianic," and hi^• ntions, which met with general appro- bation, were attended v li coiisideraMf saving to the (Joveni- ment. llie captain of his cunipaip in making a record ol his acquirements, wrote that Lieutnumt Munro " was the most however, did not prevent his living in ease and luxury. lie kept his servants, horses, and, it is said, his carriage, and entertained and enjoyed ver ^;ood society. Well could he do all this, for, coupling with his ow n receipts hi^ wife's settlement, he possessed an income of c'crcu /tuiulirih jvn. . i-i/r.ir! He died at the Kock, August 13, 1811, aged 45 years. Uy his U \w left 5000/. stock to his two sons — John, and William Grible; .lOO/. to Suh-I-ii iiteiiant Falconer and his family, and a few smaller legacies to relatives and an attached servant, besides consi Sir John Jones, in his ' Sieges,' i. p. 1.30, 2nd edit., records, by mistake, the arrival of the company on the l.Mh instead of the )9th January. H2. kiii- 1812. ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 191 The above company and detachment were afterwards em- ployed in restoring and improving the defences of the place. Paid by measurement for their labour, they greatly exerted tliemselves, notwithstanding the bitter weather to which they were exposed. Corporal James Dou;rla8 was intrusted with the charge of the restoration. In the siege of Badajoz from lOth March to Gth April, the military artificers bore an important part. There were present 115 of all ranks, being portions of the fifth and seventh com- panies, second battalion, from Cuidad Rodrigo ; and the sixth of the second battalion from the Almada position. A company from Cadiz comprising men of the sixth land seventh companies, first battalion, did not join till nearly the conclusion of the siege. The company disembarked at Ayamonte and ascended the valley of the Guadiana on the Portugal side, partly by boats and partly by marching. No British soldiers, save this com- pany, had ever been in that part of Portugal. All the engineers' means for the operation were conveyed from Elvas to Badajoz under charge of the corps, for which purpose 120 pairs of bullocks were pressed into the service. The eflTcctual removal of the stores was accomplished under great difficulties. From the desertion of the drivers, taking with them their oxen, and the weakly condition of others, many of the sappers frequently yoked themselves to the abandoned burdens, and in caiTying them through the Guadiana at the fords, were sometimes borne down the stream by the rapidity of the current. Nearly all the stores, however, reached the depot at the appointed time. In the distribution of the men, a strong party was nominated for the duty of the park, to repair tools, make scaling-ladders, platforms, &c., and tlie remainder, told off into seven brigades, performed good services as overseers and leading sappers in the trenches and the batteries. Sub-Lieutenants A. Wallace and R. Gibb who joined in January, volunteered their services as assistants in the trenches, and both discharged their duties " extremely well." Their conduct was noticed in flattering terms in a letter to General Mann, the inspector- general of fortifications. 192 IIIS'l'dRY OF THR riH12. Soon uftur commencing operations, corporal Patrick Rooney signalized himself by laying gun platforms in the day-timo under a warm fire from the enemy. No less conspicuous was jmvate William Harry, who opened in dayli<;ht under fire of the I'icurina, the embrasures of a masked battery. In exe- cuting these diangcrous services, their firnnicss and skill had the effect of stinmlating the workmen to the i)rompt performance of similar exploits. At the storming of Fort Picurina the royal military artificers who preceded the columns, conducted themselves with the " greatest gallantry and coolness." Particular mention is made of those «ho accompanied Captain llolloway of the royal engineers, in leading the reserve column to the place. En- cumbered with ladders and axes, they broke through a line of palisades on the covertway, planted the ladders against the counterscarp, and then, descending into the ditch, moved the laddei-s across to the scarp with the greatest " steadiness and precision." Instiintly they mounted, and after tearing down the fraises to a suflicient extent for the escalade, ascended the ramparts and dashed through the embrasures into the fort. Private I'atrick Eurke, a bold soldier, took a leading part in the assault and was amongst the foremost that entered the place. On the parapet Captain llolloway fell severely wounded. Lance-corporal Robert Miller rushed to his rescue, and at imminent personal peril, guarded his body and bore him in safety to the camp. Late in the siege a hazardous attempt was made bj Lieu- tenant Stanway, R.E. to blow down the batardeau in the ditch of the lunette for the purpose of drawing off" the inundation. lie was accompanied by an officer and twenty men of the royal military artificers, of w hom lance -corporal \Villiam Stack gave proof of prominent zeal and daring. The powder-l.Mirrels were duly placed against the dam and fired ; but the efi'ect intended was not produced, and the party returned to the trenches without loss. In the final assault of Badajoz, selected men of the corps accompanied each of the colun»ns to the breaches, bearing 1812.] ROYAL SArPKHS AND MIXKIt^ 109 liulders, hatchets, crowbars, Ac, and cxccntod the duty alluttod to thcMii with tho utmost bravery. After storiuing the lunette St. lloijue, a party of tlie royal military artiiicers, under Lieu- tenant Wrijrht, R. 1;^. displayed exinrtness and eourage in miniiifj under the dam and bridge of the inundation. Of tho general services and conduct of the s-appers " durinjf the opera- tions of the siege and in its close," it is recorded that they " distinguislied " themselves." Privates ^^'illiam Bond and Kdward Doran were killed, and five rank and file wounded at the storming. Tn the trenches, during the operations, corporal .Fohn Blackadder was killed, arid Sub- Lieutenant Wallace wounded. Many others also were wounded, but the precise number cannot be traced. Soon after the captiu'c, the detachment of the sixth and seventh companies, first battalion, returned to ('adiz, Mjijor- Cleneral (.^ooke having represented the desirableness of maintain- ing th(! corps in adequate strength to carry out the defensive operations under his orders.'- The sixth of the second battalion was attached to the expedition for besieging Tarragona,'-' and portions of the fifth and seventh companies, second battalion, renuiined at Radajoz to assist in the repairs of the breaches, and in improving the defences of the town. One private was killed by the unexpected explosion of a blast when he applied the match to fire it. The restorations were effected before the close of the year, and to mark the date, some masons of the cor|)8 built the number of the year with 24-j)onnd shot in the escarp wall of the face of the bastion La Trinidad. " ' Wellington Dispatches,' edit. 1845, v., p. 579. '» Ibid, v., p. 6.50. '^ In the Dispatch to the Earl of Liverpool, dated Fuente Guinaldo, loth June, 1812, the Earl of Wellington states, " I have likewise sent from tliis country to Gibraltar Lieutenant-Colonel .Jones and four subaltern officers of engineers, and two companies of military artificers, including all the sappers there arc with the army," to join the corps d'armce under Lieutenant-General Lord William Dentinck, " to make an attack on the eastern coast of the Penin- sula, with the troops from Sicily." — -Wellington Dispatches, 1845, v., p. 706, 707. The above company, 92 strong, was the only one despatched from Por- tugal, hut one of the Maltese military artificers from Messina was added to the engineers' means for the siege, which made a combined sapper-force of 1 34 strong. VOL. I. 0 1D4 HISTORY OP TliR [1812. The bridgps of Yccla ami Scrradii, which spanned the Ycbra — a bnuich (if the Douro between Salamniicn and Cuidad Rodrigo — were mined in Decemlwr 1811 by Spanish miners, with a few privates of the sapi)er8 as overseers, nndcr the direction of Lieutenant W. Rcid, royal engineers. Owing to the flinty nature of the cement giving the compactness of rock to the structures, it required a fortnight's unceasing toil — day and night — to drive the shafts. The mines were fired in April, following, when one arch of the Vecla was bl >wn down, and a j)ier and two arclies of the Serrada were destroyed. Sub-Li 'utonant C. IJooth and ninety-five men reinforced the companies in Spain under Sir llichard Fletcher. Nine men also joined from Madeira. Both parties landed in April increasing the artificer force to 273 of all nr.ks. All tlie cfFective men were attached to the difterent divisions of the army, or were dispersed on various duties throughout the country. Those remaining at Badajoz were instructed in sap- ping and mining under Lieutenant Harry Jones of the royal engineers. In June, nine rank and file were present under Lieutcnant- (!!olonel Burgoyne, II. E., at the siege of the fortified posts at Salamanca. Private James Durant was killed in the trenches on the night of the 17th June, and four privates were wound. 'd. Thanks for their good conduct in the siege of the forts was con- veyed to them in general orders.'* Eight of the corps were present in August at the capture of the Retiro at Madrid, and at the siege of Burgos in September and October. All were employed as overseers in the park and the trenches, ('orporal M. Develin was killed, and tiie remain- ing sever were wounded. The whole party proved themselves to be good soldiers and skilful miners. Deriving their instruc- tion, in great part, from the labours of previous sieges, they knew the best methods to achieve success. At Fort Christoval the want of experienced miners rendered it impracticable to crown the glacis and prevent the garrison removing the debris from the foot of the breach. At Burgos, on the contrary, though '* 'Wellington Dispatches," 1845, v., p. 724. 1612. HdYAL SAITKHS AN'I> MlNKItH. T0« the assiiults wore frequent before tlie place fell, this handful of aappers, aHslsited by some miners from the fjuarda, success- fully worked up to the fortress, and formed effective breaches by mining, in the castle walls.'' Private Patrick Burke, a distinguished stormer at Badajoz, was remarked for bis useful- ness and resolution in the explosion of a mine ; and priva^5 Andrew Alexander for his valour in leading the workmen to crown the crater of a mine on the enemy's glacis before the breach. The fifth company, second battalion, was sent in advance with stores for the siege but arrived too late to share in the operation. In the retreat to the frontier of Portugal a few men of the corps mined the bridge at Alba on the Tormes, under Captain Goldfinch of the engineei's. An eye-witness who observed their exertions says, " In crossing the bridge, we found the sajipers hard at work mining and layn.^ barrels of gunpowder to blow up the centre arch."'* I'he bridge was accordingly destroyed to check tlie advance of the enemy. This small i)arty also assisted in the hasty intrenchraents thrown up to defend the castle, and was present in repulsing the attack on the place. In January a corporal and nine privates were detached from La Isla to Carthagena to strengthen the fortifications there. Private Thomas Grewer was killed in springing a mine. The detachment returned to La Isla in April, 1814. A draft of twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and men landed at (^adiz in Aj)ril to reinforce the sixth and seventh companies, first iKittalion. In August following, a sergeant and ten rank ar ; file were present with Colonel Skerrit's force in the action at Seville on the 27th of the month. They re- joined their companies in September. Late in the year Lieutenant Matson of the royal engineers, having under his command Sub-Lieutenants R. Turner and C. Gratton and 135 non-commissioned officers and men, joined the corps in the Peninsula. Many of them had been instructed in " Jones's ' Sieges,' notes by Colonel Harry D. Jones, i., p. 13.'i, 377,3rd edit. '« ' United Service Journal,' 2, 1829, p. 284, 285. 02 190 lllSTOUY OF THE [1812. the formation of military field-works. The total of the artificer force ill Spain and Portugal in December, reached the following numbers : — Lisbon, liadiijoz, uud with the army in the field . 30''l Alioant '.)•> Cadiz lO'l Taiifa 11 Cartliagena 6 Total . . . . 515 including Snb-Lieutenants Wallace, (Jibb, Booth, Turner, and (Jratton. During the year the casualties in the dctiiclnnent under Sir ivichard I'letcher were, nine invalided and forty-three deaths. In 3Iay the number sick counted thirty-one ; in Decoinher it was increased to sixty- one. At Cirecn Island, opjjosite Algeciras, four privates were employed in rejiairing the defences early in the year under Lieutenant A. Hrown of the corps. \Vhen completed they returned to Gibraltar. Tiie first company of Maltese Artifioors of forty-one total, and one smith of the royal military artificers, left Messhia in June under the command of Major Thackeray, K.E., with the exjiedition against Tarragona. At Port Maiioii, Minorca, they were joined [)y tiie sixth company, first battalion. Both com- panies soon afterwards landed at Alicant, and portions of them were emjiloyed on such occasional services as the course of events deniaiided. Bermuda was this year apjiointed a station for the corps. Two sergeants, one drummer, and fifty rank and file, embarked (111 the 21st August on board the ' ( 'iitheriiie,' freight-ship, and arrived at tne island 20th November. The detachment gene- rally were inferior artificers and ill-behaved men. Throughout the voyage they were discontented and mutinous ; and after landing, animadversion and piinislnnent for a long time had but little ertict in checking their excesses and insubordination. Captain (Junningham, royal engineers, commanded the party. 1813.] IIOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 197 1813. Designation of corps modified — Uiiif'orni— Working-dross — Arms — Mode of promoting non-commi'^sioMed oHiocrs — liank of colour-surgeant created — ("onipauy to '^anada — Reinforcement to Hernmda — Sub-Lieutenant Mac- kenzie appointed Town-Major tliere— SieknoRS at Gil)raltar — Services of eonipanj in K,im »'atalouia--Mallui da Sorda— Services on the advance to \'itloria -Hridge at Tcuu -Hlockade of I'anipeluua — Pyrenees — Stockades near lioncesvalles— San Sebastian and services of tin corps at the siege - Valour of sergeants Powis and P:ivis— Of private IJorland; and of corporal Evans — Casualties in the siege — Restoration of the fortifications — Pontoon train — ISidassoa — Iirii'f;e across it, and conduct of privates Owen ("onnor and Nowlan — Vera — NivcHe, and lie'iaviour of corporal Couucill — Hridge cv-er that river — Hridgcs over the IVive, and daring exertions of private Dowling — Fording the Xive, and posts of honour accorded to corporal .laiuieson and private P, .'.d — Stren^ih and distribution of corps in the Peninsula — Ji'ecruiting. To corresiJOiKl witli tlio iiiteiitii)ns of the (lovcriiinciit with respect to tlio future duties of the corj)^, the titk> was ajiaiii ehauged on the 5th Mnreh, from " royal military artificers or saj)j)ers and miners," to " U()\al Sapjicrs and Miners." Some mistrust and discontent were occasioned by this second altera- tion, hut conciliatory explanations restored confidence and satisfaction. A chanire of dress followed the change of name. This originated with the war officers in the Peninsula. Working with the line at the sieges, it was considered desirable to assimi- late the dress of the two services ; anil scarlet with blue facings was introduced to ret'der the men less conspicni/us to tht; I'liemy and less subject to danger. No material alteration was made in the cut and froggiiig of the coatee. I'or par- ticidar parades, the white breeches and long gaiters were con- tinued, e.\cept in the I'eninsn'a, wiu're ofey trou.-ici's and ankle 198 HISTOEY OP THE [1813. gaiters were substituted. The chaco — a .singular concoction from the German mitre, preserved in Hogarth's " March to Finchley," and the " smoke-jjick " — was much higher in front than in rear and decorated with yellow cords and tassels. A short white feather, worn at the left side of the chaco, just peered above the curve of the fan. See Plate X. The working dress consisted of a plain red jacket with short skirts, grey trousers with red stripes, short spats, shoes with brass clasps, and a leather cap worn lengthways, or square, bearing on its front leaf in brass, the initials of the corps, and subsequently a crown and garter ornament. This much- disliked head-covering was a remote but unsightly variety of the cocked hat ; and in lieu of tassels was furnished at the corners with black silk ribbon ties of some length. See Plate XI. Some companies wore white linen overalls, buttoned the whole length of the outer seam. At Cadiz, previous to the general change, the companies wore grey trousers with a black stripe down each outer seam, and a grey cloth forage-cap, trimmed with black braid, and the letters R. M. A. on the left side of the cap. Greater attention was now paid to arming the corps. Here- tofore, in this respect, many irregularities had crept in. At Nov/foundland the detiichment was armed with swords, cut- Itosses, and accoutrements of every shape, saved from the American war. In the West Indies the companies used the shattered remains of old armouries and black accoutrements of various patterns. In Sicily the military artificers could only muster a few foreign cumbersome firelocks ; whilst the iVIaltese artificers were unable to appear with a weapon of any kind. For a number of years the Gibraltar c()mj)anies wore the obsolete accoutrements and cartouche-boxes of a disbanded Newfoundland regiment ; and a party of the corps on its way to the Peninsula, did duty with pikes and blunderbusses. Among the sergeants the swords and belts were very dis- similar. Pern)itted to purchase their own arms, more attention was paid to fancy and ability of payment than uniformity. These and other anomalies were in-ogressivcly removed from M3. lion to lust riort ith f w m "^ ^tdma.^^ H 'i^ 't riMf^^'^ •■^■■■-'' **t Its ffiutere wi' Fm.' UISTftKY OF THE •'vtituted. "'"' iiiiti'c, , [i8i;j. * singular <:oiicocti()!i Jloiifiriii '■ " March to t ' ■ vvas much liighrr in front aid .■l.>.:-.r«t. a .v;U) yellow cords ar.il tas.^fls. A , i";itiici\ worn at the loft dide of the chao«, just itio furve of the fan. See Plate X. ;^)ic working dress consisted of a plain red jacket with short skirts, j.rrv;y trousci-- with ..^d stripes, shnrt sjwta, i'liui'y, with hrajis" cloisps, and a leather cap worn ienpthways, or square, hearing on its front leaf in brasn, the hiitialB of the corps, .1 ■"•"wn und ^ai^t-r ornjunent. 'Hiis much- .■nng yfi^i a remote but liiistgiitiy v«n»!ty of iiif, and io lifu of tassels was fumiahed sit the <*>nicrs witii black silk ritlxjn tieK of some length. See Plate XJ. Some companies wore \yhitc linen overalls, butti^nwl tlie wiiole lengtli of the outer ucani. At ( afHltese arti(lcei> wi^jv utHibl(" to .ipp . >' ' v ,i luy kind. For a number of yoarb tti«. mnis wore the obtiolete aecoutrements and cai'touclie-lwxes of a disbanded Newfomidland n^giment ; and a ! arty of the .\ 'on >viis pjud to fancy .iiid ability of payment tiian unifornu./. These and other aiiomalicH w«:!e i)rogre.'risive]y styled " Pasley's cadets." The greatest number at the siege counted five Sul)-Lieutenants — OJratton, Stratton, Turner, Wallace, and Johnson, and 305 non- commissioned officers and men. The eighth ci.'ipany, second battalion, with Lieutenant Turner, was posted on the C'-ofrc hills, and the other companies on the isthmus. The men were divided into three reliefs ; each relief was on duty eight hours, but when the works required to be pressed, the periods of rest were shortened to meet the emergency. The sub-lieutenants acted as assistant engineers. A large party (>f the corps did duty in the park, and t'le remainder were employed as overseers of X\w working parties. Tlie^ also had to place the gabions, fascines, platforms, &c., open and repair the embrasures, jaid execute all services requiring more than ordinary skill, such as commencing the saps and leading their progress. In the early * Manuscript, IJojal Engineer Establishment. The model in the Model Hoom at Hrompton, showing the details of one of the stockades, was made under the direction of Sub-Lieutenant Ciilder. 1813.] ROYAL SAITEllS AND MINKli^. 203 part of the siege the batteries and communications were wholly constructed by the sai)pers ; but from the 16th July, these services, except ii occasional instances of difficulty and danger, were performed by the line. In both assaults parties of the corps assisted in carrying and placing the ladders for the stormers ; others bore axes, crowbars, and intrenching tools. In the second assault it is recorded, that the party with ])ick3 and shovels "long persevered, with cool intrepidity, to form cover on the face of the breaches, but in vain." The assault, however, ultimately succeeded. As well in the trenches as ^t the stormings, the sappers and miners distinguished themselves by their usefulness, intelligence, and gallantry.'' Here may be given a little incident to show how cool were the sapjHjrs in carrying on their duties. Colonel Pasley has stated that " several of the cmbra'^ures of the breaching battery were cut in broad daylight, under fire, by a party of the corps under Lieutenant E. Matson, 11. E., after the guns in a part of the battery previously finished, had actually opened against the fortress."" Another instance is equally worthy of notice. " At (me time," according to Major Reid, "the trunk of a lavy,' piij)lar tree completely stopped the progress of the men and defied all their efforts to move it, until a daring sapper fraliantly j\nnping from the trench, stood exposed until lie moved it from the head of the sap, and returned without bein"' wounded."" Striking instiinces of individujil ex])loit follow, which are creditable to the soldiers wlio.-^e names are associated with their performance. Sergeants William Powis and John Davis ac- companied the first aijsault. Forced down the breach with the retreating stonners, iliey perceived Captain G. (t. Lewis, K.E., lying badly woundet. exposed to the eni'my's fire ; and Davis, ' Sir Thomas Graham, in ' Wt'llingtoii Dispatches,' vi., p. Cin, edit. IS-tf). Jones's ' Sieges,' ii., p. 391, 2nd edit. : and I'asley's ' IClementary Fortification,' note D, p. ix., vol. 1. " Pasley 's 'Operations ol'r Siege,' ii., p. '24(i, note. " 'Instructions for the Defence of Fortresses,' tnin.slaled liy Major licid, H.K., IS'i.'t. p. '2(1, 204 nrsTOIiV OF TFIK 1813. wlu) but a ffw niomonts bot'orc bad bcoii wouiulcd in tbo ami, rotunied witli Powi?; to tlic brcacb and carrliul off thoir officer to the trenches. In eflPectinir this gallant and Innnane act, Davis was a second time struck by a musket-bal', through which he lost an eye. l?y ^fajor Pa>ley he was reported to bo " a man of extraordinary merit and altilities, and a must s! ilfid and ingenious artificer."" No k'ss distinguished was private Ilugli Borland at the second storming. In jilaeiuii' his ladders lie discovered that they were likely to become useless, from the joints being inse- cure, and while 'n the act of binding the ends tivr.'lier witii his braces — an act of supererogation which the sci .ice scarcely contemplated — a ball pierced the root of his tongue and killed him. Santa Clara, a rocky island off St. Sebastian, liad l)een taken, and it was necessary to connnunicate with the officer of engi- neers there on a matter of great importance. It being broad daylight, no l)oat could venture across the bay without the certainty of being sunk. Corporal Tliomas Evans therefore volunteered to execute tin' s( i'\ice. lie immediately stripped himself, tied his cap round his neck with tlu> des])atch in it, and pbniging into the !-treani, ])erfornied, under fire from the castle, tiiis gallant exjiioit unscathed. The distance to tlie island was nearly a mile, and he retiu-ned with an answer in about an hour. Tiie casualties at tlu^ siege were as follows : — At till' soi'tiu — diK' killed; private .lames Ilieks: tliree taken prisoners," one ot'wlKiiii, private Owen CiiniKir, was Homideil. Ill tlie treiK'lies — four l.ilieil; seeond-eiirpiirals Fiiidlay MeDmiald and Daniel Nililiiek, and privates 'Clioma'^ PenlmrwcKid and I'eler Milne; Siil)-l/ieutc'ii!int Turn r, wcninded. First stiHiii -five killed ; privates Sainiiil Clarke, .lames Diiiiii. WiHi-.im Cdruiaek, .Tiinatliaii Millar, and .lanus Morris; one died of wounds, private Stiplieii 'I'eail'. .Second storm— four killed; socond-eorporal Henry Logan, privates I'eler Walsli. .lolin Flannafian, and IIujili I'orland: t»venty-nine wounded, 111 wlioiii one died, seeond-coriioral William Doilds. " From his perfect knowledge of the duties of field engiueeriiif;, he was known amoii).' liis comrades liy the title of "Sap Major." Coriioial ''liarirs Ford was one of the prisoners. lie was of a respectahle 1813.] liOYAI. SArrKHS ANI> MINKKS. 2(15 Correct particulars of the woiiiidcd from the opeuiiig of the o])erations until the; last assault cannot be obtained. The three prisoners taken at th(> sortie were returned to the corp.s on th(> 8th Sej)teniber. yot allowed, during their confuii'iiient, to tluow up cover for their own safety, they were exposed in the castle, in the yard of the magazine, to all the fury of the siege. On the removal of the troops from St. .Sebastian, the fifth company, second hattidion, was left at the fortress. Under the orders of Captain i'rank Stanway, royal engineers, it superin- tended a liody of .Spanish soldiers in reforming and restoring the fortilications. 'J'he company continued so emj)loyed for nearly five months after the abdication of Napoleon, and re- turned to Woolwich in September, IHll. The rcmaininijr fiiur coni])nnies moved with Lord Welling- ton's army, lia\ing in charge the stores and mutrrld of the department. ( )n tlie arrival of the jiontoon train at Passages, a strong detaclnuent of tiie cor})s was j)laced under the direction of lai'utenant Piper, R.E., to assist in the formation of the required bridges. In the pas.-iage of the Bidassoa on the 7tli October, the sappei-s threw a {.ontoon bridge across the river near Irun. It wa.s soon afterwards carried away by the tide ; but, on being recovered, was speedily re[»laced. About three miles higher up the river, at the foot of the l^yrenees, they also constructed a trestle bridge with a roadway t'amilj-, ami hail a lirot'.UT a clcr;;) man in tlir ( Imrcli of p'.nglaiiil, presidinf; ovor till' oiuv of tliu parish of Killu'aooiity in Ireland. In an article in the ' United Service .lourual,' headed, " Captivity in San Sebastian," Captain Harry Jopes, IM';., who also had been taU 'ii prisoner, allndes to this noii-coniniis- sioned olHcer. " In tlie eonrse of the day," he says, " I was asked whether I wonld like to speak to a corporal of sappers, who had been made a prisoner dnrini; the sortie. I was deliglite, under the direction of Captain Pitts and Sub-Lieutenant Stratton, The seventh company, second Ivittalion, being detaclied to iM ...,.., to arrange the hawser bridge for the j)a.ssage of the Adour, the tln-ee remaining companies were present at the battle of the Nive, and the actions in Front of Bayonne, from the 9th to lotii December. I'or tiie passage of the mrpH (Turnu'e under Marshal Bercsford and Sir Rowland Hill, the companies threw two bridges at Ustaritz, and repaired the shat- tered arches of anotlier bridge at that place and one at Canibo. 'i'iie first bridge tin-own was made of pontoons under Captain 1813.] ROYAL SAPrp:ilS AND MINEliS. 207 Boteler, R.E., in which priv..te William Dowling distinguished himself by gallantly swin.ming across the river with the sheer line, and securing it to a picket on the enemy's side. When striking home his stake, he drew the fire of some French senti- nels upon hini, but returned unhurt. The second bridge resting ujjon eleven bays, was made by the second company, second battalion, under Sub-Lieutenant Stratton, directed by Captain Henderson, R.E., and formed from chance materials collected in the wood and the village. During the operations, another bridg": wii^s thrown by the sapjjci-s over a deep stream with a rapid current, beyond the Nive, and was formed of wine pipes and barrels, strengthened by two skiffs or chasse-marees, with a hastily-prepared nwdway laid upon them. Previous to the battle a few expert swimmers were selected to find the fords of the Nive, and to note the exact rising and falling of the tides. Corporal Alexander .Tamieson and private William Braid found the three I'ords near (Jauibo. In the passage of the troops these two men, by appointment, guided the columns of Generals Byiig and Barues across the stream ; and for their coolness and steadiness in executing the service, were rewarded by the Generals. The former received two doubloons, the latter one. The four companies with the army were reinforced ir No- vember, by forty-nine men under (.'a])tain English, royal engineers, from Englanil. On the 3()th of the month, the total number in the south of France, at St. Sebastian, and Alicant, reached six sub-lieutenants and about 500 non-com- missioned officers and men. The niunber sick in the difi^'crent hospitals anuiunted to between sixty and seventy. Tlie casualties during the y(>ar were, killed fifteen, deaths Uiiity- three, missing five, and iiiviilidt'd tlii teen. The li('ad-(['un'ters of the companies with Lord Wellington's army, were at C'and)o, Ustaritz, and St. Jean de Luz, but the men were j^reatly dis- persed and variously employed, in making redoubts, batteries, and entrenchments, and in the pre|)aration of uif.terials and appliaiici's for the formation of bridges. 208 IllS'l'Oin' OF THE ri8i3. Durin- the year the n-cTuiting was carrica on with -n-at spu-it The uuinbor rocolved by oulistmeut vva>. 4.31, ami l.y transfer from the n.ilitia 334. Six snh-lie«tenants, one sergcant- maior, and 144 non-eonnnissioned officers and men wore eni- ploved on this service in the United Kingdom and Ireland The c.rps now counted a t..tal strength of 2,373, leaving still to complete it to the establishment 484 men. 1814.J UOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 2it'.> 1814. Wreck of 'Queen' transport; humanity of Sergeant Mackenzie; heroic ex- ertions of private M'Carthy — Quartermaster; Brigade-Major — Snntona ; useful Services of corporal Hay — Hridge of Itzassu nejir Cambo — Orthes; conduct of sergeant Stephens — Toulouse — Hridge of the Adour ; duties of the sappers — Flotilla lo form the bridge— Casualties in venturing the bar — Cond\ict of the corps in its construction — Hayonne — Expedition to North America — Keturn to England of certain companies from the Peninsula — Company to HollauJ ; its duties ; bridge over the Maerk ; Tholeu ; Fort Frederick — March for Antwerp -Action at Merxam — Esprit de corps — Coolness of sergeant Stevens and corporal Milburn — Distribution ; bridge making — Surprise of Bergcn-op-Ziiom — Conduct of the sappers, and casual- ties in the operation — A mild Irisluiian — Hravery of corporal Creighton and private Lomas — South HevelanO — Heinforcement to the Netherlands — Keview by the Emperor of Russia— School for companies at Antwerp — De- tachments in the Netherlands, company at Tournai — Movements of the com- pany in Italy and Sicily — Expedition to Tuscany ; party to Corfu — Canada ; distribution of company there, and its active services — Reinforcement to (Canada — Washington, Baltimore, New Orleans — Notice of coi'poral Scrafield — Expedition to the State of Maine. Late in December, 1813, sergeant Richard Mackenzie with six invalids and their wives and chiklren, embarked at Lisbon on l)()ard the ' (ineen ' transport. Separated dnring a tempest from th(! convoy, the vessel, after a dangerous passage, arrived off Falmouth, and entering the harbour, anchored at about half a mile from the shore to await a fair wind to sail for Portsmouth. On the 1 ith of January, at night, a violent stonn arose ; and early next morning, the sliip, snapping her cable and parting her anchor, drifted on the rocks oft' Trefusis Point near lalmouth. Tlu; unabated severity of the wind kept the vessel constantly bumping upon the rocks, and in a short time the ' Queen ' broke aniiiisiiips. As long as practicable the (•.ri!w and passengers clung to the gunwaU; and rigging, but the long-boat being at last disengaged, mmibers crowded into it. VOL. r. p 210 llIWTOnY OF THE L1814. Sergeant Mackenzie was about the last wlio entered it ; and even then, though the chance of life was hanging upon tlie proinj)t effort of the moment, he cauglit up a poor orj)han boy shivering from cold and fright, and pushing him into the vessel first, followed after, and wedged himself in the bow of the boat. Without rudder or oars, the boat, scarcely able to hold the weight she bore, drifted to sea. Masses of the wreck floated about her and beat against her sides. Shock succeeding shock soon loosened her timbers, and the bottom giving way, the human freightage was cast into the sea. In less than two hours, out of 33G souls, 195 were lost Two of the number with three women and their children, belonged to the party of sappers. One was private James M'CJarlhy, who iiad gained the shore on a fragment of the wreck, and j)lunging into the sea again, perished in an heroic attempt to save the wife of a comrade. The commissions of Adjutant and Quartermaster, hitherto held by one officer, were separated in February ; and quarter- master-sergeant James Galloway was pronu)ted to be Quarter- master from the 1st of that month, with the pay of Hs. a-day, and 18^. 58. a year for a servant, llio diess and appointments were assimilated to those of the subaltern officers of royal engineers, with the excejjtion of the head-dress, which was a cocked-hat, plumed with flowing cock-tail feathei-s. On the 20th of December following, the Adjutant, (Ja])tain Rice Jones, was advanced to the staff appointment of Brigade-Major ; which rank lias ever since been borne by tlie chief executive officer of the corjis. After the jiassage of the Bidassoa, Captain AVelis, with two men of the eighth company second battalion, marched to Santona to co-operate with the Gallican, or fourth Spanish army, under General Barco. The historian of the Peninsular war has stated, that Home sjipjjers and miners were sent to quicken the operations of the Spanisii oflicei-s, but a French writer, erring l)eyond all excuse, has magnified the tivo men into a ivhi'h' battalion.' Under tiieir captain, they superin- ' Naputr's ' Pciiiiisiilai' War.' vi., p r)(i2, odit. IS4(I. 1814. i KOYAL SATPEliS AND MIXKIiS. 211 tciidod tlic prosecution of various field-works ; and on account of his usefulness and intellifrence, lance-corporal Hay was styled assistant engineer. Several villages in the vicinity of Santona were called upon to supply a certain number of scaling ladders for the oi)eration, iind corporal Hay, furnished with authority from General Barco, visited those localities, su- perintended the making of the ladders, and had them conveyed to the park. Both the sappei"s were present in the escalade of the fort of Puntal on the 13th February, and at the storming of the town and fort of Laredo on the 21st. Tiiroujjhout the operations, corporal Hay was particularly noticed for his ability and zeal. Santona ultimately capitulated, and the two sappers rejoined their company in front of Bayonne. Early in January ten artificers of the seventh company, first battidion, assisted by fifty S[)anlsh soldiers, threw a very efficient bridge across a loop of the river Nive at Itzassu near ('ambo, under the direction of Sub-LieutenaTit Calder. The bridge was constructed by order of General Hill at the request of the Spanish General Morlllo, to establish a communication with the rear and a brigade of his division which had not crossed the stream. A ferry had formerly existed at the spot by means of a small canoe which the enemy, in his retreat, had taken the precaution to sink. It was recovered by the sapjjors and turned to advantage in the operation. The site chosen for the bridge was accessible cand convenient, being directly in rear of the diviislon. For some distance along the shore the north side had a perpendicular face, high and craggy with projecting ledges ; whilst the oj)})osite shore was low and shinirly, and Inundated in wet weather. The bed of the river was rocky and uneven, showing such abrupt varlfitions in its level, that piles or trestles could not be used for the formation. In some places the depth was 15 feet ; In others not more than 4 or 5. Boats or craft of any kind could not be procured, and the expedient of a bridge of cjisks was therefore resorted to. Barrels for the purpose — four feet long by two feet at the swell — were oi)taini'd from a wine manufactory in the village ; chestnut planking, nails and bolts from different houses ; trees P8 ■■"^ 818 IIISTOIJY OP TIIH "1811. from tlic luljaroiit ])laiitiiti()U9 to form tlu" fniniowork and sliori' j)il('s; and l)Mrs of iron j:;Tatinu each, two piers heinjr lashed together at each end of tlu; raft, IH feet from either shore, and one in tiie centre with a space between of 12 feeant Thomas Stephens, who had distinj^uished liimself in the demolition of the flood-aounted to one killed and two wounded. Leaving sixteen men at Tholen and Zandaarbuiten, the remainder of the company, armed with short swords, felling- axes, saws, &C., and guarding an establishment of mules drawing about one hundred waggons laden with " itrenching tools, commenced the march for Antwerp. They followed the royal artillery, and reliefs of twenty men were, by turns, repeatedly ordered to the front to remove abattis and other obstructions that were met with on the route. From intense frost and a heavy and continuous fall of snow blowing in their faces, they encountered many difficulties and suffered extremely during the journey. " Pasley'b ' Elumentary FortificiUiou,' uotc c, p. viii., vol, 1. 218 HISTORY OF THE ri8i4. Merxam being taken on the 2nd February the company and a strong force of the guards and line, began the erection of batteries to attack the fleet at Antwerp. By command, no relief was permitted to the sappers, and they continued on duty for seventy-two hours without intermission. Their steady labours at the Napoleon battery of sixteen guns, and their skill in revetting the embrasures, and in attending to the more perilous parts of Lhe works, were the wonder of both officers and soldiers. Sir Thomas Graham, in general orders dated Merxam, 5th February, did full justice to the zeal and exertions of the sappers, and stated, " that they deserved the highest praise." Two privates were wounded.'^ Sergeant William Stevens and corporal Thomas Milbum distinguished themselves by their coolness and bravery in superintending the laying of platforms and making a splinter- proof magazine under a heavy fire. Recommended by Colonel Carmichael Smyth, the commanding royal engineer, the former was forthwith appointed colour-sergeant, and soon afterwards commissioned to a sub-lieutenancy in the corps ; and the latter was promoted to be sergeant. After the failure at Antwerp, the head-quarters of the com- pany went into cantonments at Rosendaal, and parties were detached to Groat Zundert, Fort Ilenrick, Calrathout, Eschen, and Brieschaet. At Groat Zundert seven men under corporal James Hilton conducted some experimental bridging in the presence of Sir Thomas Graham and Colonel Carmichael Smyth, with the view of adopting the easiest plan for crossing ditches in future enterprises. Sir Thomas was struck with the simplicity of the corporal's arrangement and the rapidity of " Here 18 a practical exemplification of esprit de corps. Whilst engaged in the attempt to destroy the shipping in the basin of Antwerp, his lioyol High- ness Prince William frequently visited the Napoleon battery with several military officers. On one of those visits a mounted veteran in the suite of the Prince approached private John Brennan, and said, "Sapper, will you hold this horse for an old guardsman?" Brennan, who was very busy at the time with bis shovel, turned his face towards the officer, and feeling that as a sapper he wos two or three removes above a groom, replied, " Egad, sir, I'd sooner be shot layin' saud-bags." 1814,] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 819 its execution ; and as a proof of his approbation gave him a Napf)leon. On another occasion, that distinguished general took parti- cular interest in the formation of a ditch bridge and even laboured himself in its construction. From the unevenness of the banks the baulks did not lie firmly. Private James McKay was in the act of obtaining the desired steadiness, when Sir Thomas took a spare spade, cut some sods, and assisting to j)lace them in the required positions, only gave up when the work was satisfactorily accomplished. In the surprise of Bergen-op-Zoom on the 8th March, parties of the company were attached to each of the columns appointed for the attack. There were about forty men in all, who were provided with axes, saws, and crowbars, and also a few ladders to scale the walls of the fortress. At about half-past ten o'clock the attack was made. The sappers cut down the palisades, crossed the ditches, planted the ladders, and leading the way in the escalade, were the first soldiers on the enemy's ramparts. They then pushed forward to remove any obstacle that opposed the advance of the assailants, and persevered in their several duties till the place was captured. A reverse, however, awaited the British : the enemy renewed the attack with unwonted vigour, and in a few hours regained the fortress. During these extraordinary operations the following casualties occurred in the detachment : Sub-Lieutenant Adamson was killed by a cannon-ball on the glacis when advancing. About twelve were wounded, of whom two mortally — privates John McKeer and James Munro — and ten were tJiken prisoners, and conveyed to Fynaart, but shortly afterwards released. Of the conduct of the sappers in this coup-de-main Colonel Cannichael Smyth has left it on record, that the company conducted them- selves with the utmost coolness and courage, and the Master- General, in a letter dated 2nd April, wsis pleased to express himself highly satisfied with the zealous conduct of the Royal Sappers and Miners on the above occasion.'* '" The gentle Brennaii, about whom an anerdote is told in a previous page, very reluctantly quitted the ramparts. Fiudiuir, that to save himself, 220 HISTORY OF THE [1814. The gallant behaviour of corporal James Creighton and private Edward Lomas is deserving of notice. After breaking through a palisade on the ramparts, they dashed forward and were challenged by a vigilant sentinel, who fired and shot Lomas in the thigh and then charged Creighton. Creighton parried the bayonet witli his axe, ami, seizing the Frenchman's musket, a desperate struggle ensued. The sentinel, who was a powerful man, at length threw his antagonist violently to the ground, and stamping his Toot on his breast, endeavoured to wrest the firelock from the corporal's grasp. His strength spent, Creighton could scarcely maintain the contest, when Lomas, yet bleeding from his wound, rushed to the rescue of his comrade and struck the Frenchman with a j)ole-axe on the back of his head. The blow was fatiil. Lomas now armed himself with the musket and ammunition of the sentinel, and pressing forward into the fortress, his resolution and daring were further signalized by his killing two other Frenchmen, and wounding two more. The latter he delivered over as prisoners of war to sergeant Thomas Milburn of the company, first break- ing their muskets in their presence, and then dispossessing them of their accoutrements.'* Corporal Creighton followed Lomas in the adventure, but was too much fatigued and weakened to be of material service. Soon after the reverse at Bergen-op-Zoom, the great'jr part retreat was inevitable, he turned his back on the fortress, and with a scowl, such only as an Irishman could make, growled out, " 13ad luck to the whole ov yees!" With this mild curse, so unusual in a hut-headed, free-spoken Milesian, he scampered down the ladder, escaped without wound or touch, and finally halted, still breathing the anathema, " Had luck to the whole ot yees I" The incident is only remarkable for its freedom fi'om those horrible epithets and curses so common in Irish execrations. Rrennan was applauded for his bravery at the storming by Captain Hobert Thomson, and his subsequent exertions and constancy in the restoration of the defences of Antwerp and Ypres, where he had large parties of Hanoverian troops and Dutch peasants under his superintendence, led to his promotion first to lance-corporal and then to corporal. " Lomas was discharged in I81C by redreti >n, and being a young soldier, received no pension. Some thirty years a'ter rards, he applied for a pension, and his exploits being btill remembered, he was "ranted Gd. a-day. 1814. ROYAL SAPPKllS AND MIXEDS. 221 of the company was sent to South Beveland and attached to the engineer brigades of (Jnptiiins II. Thomson and Oldfield, to be einpU)yed in tlie attack of Fort Ratz. The night that ground was to have lieen broken news arrived of peace. The company returned into Cxintoninents at Rosendaal, then changed its head- quarters to llorst, and in May asseniWcd at Antwerp, where it remained, with tlie exception of some small detachments, to the end of the year. In July another company — fourth of the third battalion — under Lieutenant P. ('ole, arrived in that city from Woolwich. It was sent there to assist in the demolition of its fortifications and arsenal, as, by treaty, it was decided that Antwerp should only be a commercial port. On the advice, however, of the Duke of Wellington, who inspected that great naval depot on his way to Paris, the operations were suspended. AVbile stationed at Antwerp both companies were quartered in the Hotel de Salm, where the French had established their head-quarters and sapper barracks. When the Emperor Alexander of Russia visited the city, the two companies were turned out with the garrison to receive the Czar, and specially attracted his majesty's attention. In September the companies, under the command of Captain Oldfield, were inspected at Antwerp by Lieutenant-General Clinton, who expressed himself highly pleased with their appearance. The idea that the sappers should be properly educated, led, even in an enemy's country, to the establishment of a school for their professional instruction, and they were permitted the privilege of assisting their o'^-ers in the preparation of \ ijects for the destruction of the docks and several fronts of fortifica- tion. The drill too was strictly attended to, and to keep up their military spirit and bearing, they were marched two days a week into the country, and joined the troops at all garrison parades. Captain Oldfield, the resident engineer, commanded the companies. The strength of the sappers in the Netherlands was now 152. The sub-lieutenants belonging to them were James Adam and Edward Sandera For several months of the year the parties 898 IIISTOnY OF THE [1814, detached were employed at. Lierc, Scliilde, Graven Wesel, Brussels, Tournai. and Mons. Subsequently the fourth com- pany, third battalion, was wholly removed to Tournai, and employed in the repair of the citadel, under the command of Captain W. J). Smith. The sixth company, second battalion, from Tarragona, with Sub-Lieutenant Gibb, landed at Genoa from the ' Mercury ' transport on the 4th May; and on the 11th June following removed to Messina, leaving a small party at Genoa. Other det4ichments were also employed at Savona, Palermo, and Faro. Sixteen men of the Maltese company at Palermo were attached to Lord William Bentinck's Tuscany expedition, and served at Leghorn, Pisa, and Lucca from February to April. Li the latter month the company of Maltese sappers at Tarra- gona was increased to forty-nine men. Li May, it landed at Genoa, and changed its (juarters to Palenno in June, where both detachments were incorporated into a company of 110 strong. In November seven men of the Maltese sappers were detached to Corfu. The third company, third battalion, in (^'anada retained its head-quarters at Kingston ; but throughout the campaign was much dispersed on various important duties to York, Point Kerry, Fort Niagara, Snake Island, Montreal, Ganonoque, Fort Wellington, Prescott, and Bridge Island. Parties are also traced at the attack and burning of Oswego under Lieutenant Gossett, and at the assault of Fort Erie under Lieutenant Phillpotts. In the latter service they received tiie acknowledgments of Lieutenant-Gencral Drummond for their ability and exertions. A second company — fourth of the fourth battalion — embarked for service in Canada in April, and disembarked at Quebec from the ' Belfield ' transport in June. In August the com- pany was attached to the expedition under Sir George Pre vest, and was present at the attack on Plattsburg, where they con- structed sand-bag batteries, temporary bridges of felled trees, and planted the ladders against the walls for the storm. Sub- sequently to the assault, the company removed to Lacolle, and. 1814. 1814.] UOYAL RAlTKlia AND MINERS. 823 'esel, om- and nd of with pury ' after fortifying Ash Island, wintered at Prescott. During the campaign parties were detached to Montreal, Cascade- Montinorenci, Isle-aux-Noix, Turkey Point, and Bnrtonville. (?ai)tain Blanshard's company — second of the fourtli battalion — wiiicli sailed from Bayonne on the 27th May, was tran- 8hii)|)ed in July from the ' Tiiaines ' frigate to the ' Golden Fleece ' transport, and landed at Benedict in the Patuxent on the lytli August. Marching with the troops, the company of sixty-two strong was present in the acticm at Bladensburg on the 24th, and had three men taken prisoners, two of whom were wounded. At Washington the company was employed in burning the Senate-house,'* President's palace, War-Office, and other public edifices and establishments. Fully expecting that the British wouh. fall, as at Saratoga, a prize to the re- public, the President, in the extravagance of bis anticipations, had i)reparcd a sumptuous repast to entertain the chiefs of the captive British staff; but so singular are the chances of war, it fell to the lot of the sappers instead of the staff to do justice to the President's hospitality. Afterwards the comjjany was present in the action near Baltimore and at the attack of New Orleans. In the latter they were joined by the seventh company, first battalion, with Sub-Lieutenant Calder under Captain A. Emmett, who disembarked from the ' Bedford ' and ' Maria ' transports. Both companies were of great service '•'> Private Henry Scraflcld l>ehayed with spirit in overpowering two armed sentinels in tlie Senate-house, and taking them prisoners. A more uncompro- misingly independent man perhaps never lived. Once he complained, in a petition to George IV., of the conduct of an officer, but it ended without the concession of the redress which he unwarrantably sought from His Majesty, In February, 1831, he endeavoured to save the lives of five boys who had fallen into Mulgrave lieservoir, at Woolwich. An orange had been thrown on the ice by some reckless fellow, and the unfortunate youths, scrambling after it, fell into the water. Scrafleid was soon on the spot, and at imminent personal risk, crossed the broken ice on ladders, and, with ropes and grapnels, succeeded in rescuing the poor boys, but not till all life had departei'. The fii'st youth was got up in ten minutes after the catastrophe. For his judgment and intre- pidity on the occasion he was promoted to be second-corporal, and the lioyal Iluniane Society granted him a pecuniary reward. Pensioned in Novembe" , 1833, he afterwards obtained a lucrative situation on a railway, and died at Bletchington, of cholera, in September, 1849. 224 HISTORY OF TIIK [1814. during tlic operations and at the assault. The casualties were one missing and four wounded — one mortally. A i)arty of one colour-aergcant and six men under Captain Nicolla, from Halifax, Nova Si-otia, was attached to the expe- dition under Sir John Sherbrooke, and served, in August and Sei)tember, at tlie capture of Moose Island, Castine, and Belfast, in the State of Maine. 181/5.1 ROYAL SAPPEnS AND MINERS. 1815. .Siege of Port Hoycr— Alertneiw of company on pnanage to New Orleans — Re- turn of the supper* from North America — ServioeH unil movements of com- panies in Canada — Also in Nova Seotia Captures of Martinique and Giiadah>upe — S, I'-i v. and niovenients of companies in Italy — Maltese tap- pers disbanded — I'uy of riul>- Lieutenants — Vpres — Increase to sappers' force iu Illtiud; its duties and detachments; notice of sergeant Pnrccll— Re- newal of the war— Strengtli of the corps sent to the Netherlands — Pontoneeni — Kattle of Waterloo— Disastrous situation of u company in retreating — Ge- neral order al>out the alarm and the stragglers - Sergeant-major Hilton at Krussels — Notice of lance-cerporal Donnelly — Kxertions '-f another company in pressing to the field— Organization of the engineer establishment in Prance — Ponto 32 42 19 (>44 Totol. 782 : The Sub-Lieutenants were A. Ross, J. Spcarks, W. Stratton, P. Johnston, W. Knapp," J. Armstrong, A. Turner, C. Gratton, J. Adam, and E. Sanders, In order that the organizations of every description with the army should be as complete as forethought could make tliem, the Duke of Wellingtou recommended the employment of two compjvnics of seamen as pontoneers. No exertions wore omitted to give effect to his Grace's wishes, and 200 hardy man-o'- war's men, with Captain diaries Napier, Ii.N., at their head, were speedily embarked in the ' Euryalus ' to join the army as bridsremen for the campaig'\ Meanwhile the Duke, who was uiiaware of the extensive character of the instruction imparted to the sajipers at Chatham, was informed, that the companies of the corps in ihe Netherlands had, for the most part, been trained in the art of constructing military bridges, and had acquired an expertness in all the details and management of floating equip- ments under the careful tuition of Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley, Corroborated by the official State on the 18th June, 1815. See 'Garwood,' vol. viii., App. xiii., p. 3'.t2, edit. 1847. " Died at Tournay, 16th June, 1815. HISTORY OF THE [1815. that promised to equal the most gigantic requirements of the service. His Grace, only too glad to learn this agreeable intelligence, revoked his original intention, countermanded the landing of the seamen, and thus the duty of forming the bridges for the passage of rivers, was wholly confined to the royal sappers and miners.® At the battle of Waterloo the royal sappers and miners were not engaged. Three companies, however, were brought conveniently near to act in the event of their services being needed ; and two companies with the pontoons, were quar- tered at Maliues. Of the fonner companies, the first com- pany, fourth battalion, is considered to have behaved with discredit in quitting the field without sufficient reason, and losing, in the precipitancy and confusion of the march, its baggage and field equipment. But the stigma seems to have been attached to the company without an adequate investigation of the circumstances under which the retreat was imperatively resorted to. The details of the affair are as follows: — On the 17th June the company moved from Hal by Braine-la-leud towards Waterloo, marching the whole of the night, and was on the position when the action commenced on the morning of the 18th. After a time, it was ordered to the rear by Major Sir George Hoste, and accordingly it marched to the furthest end of the village of \\\'iterloo under Lieutenant W. Faris and Sub- Lieutenant R. Turnei'. There the company remained till between three and four o'clock p.m., when Lieutenant C. K. Sanders, R.E., joined it. About this time a brigade of Hano- verian artillery and cavalry, and several of tht "ritish cavalry, were retiring. The latter had vainly laboured to penetrate the retreating crowds, and informed Lieutenant Sanders that the French were at the other end of the village. In a wood on the right, discharges of muskcti-y were heard, and both officers and men, who hurried away from the battle, cor- roborated the general testimony, that the enemy not only had " 'Wellington Dis .Htches,' edit. 1847, (2 & 12 May,) pp. .5.'), 81. 1815.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 233 possession of the wood, but in a short time would cut ofi* the British irom the road. Still incredulous of the alarming rumours which reached him, Lieutenant Sanders sought more decisive information as to the reported advantages of the French, and at length, satisfied with the additional affirma- tions of hundreds of officers and soldiers, who threatened in their flight to overrun the company, he at once ordered it to retire. The circumstances fairly justified this step. But the company had not proceeded far before it was unavoidably thrown into difficulties and disorder. To relieve itself from the masses was impossible. Driven in rear, and encompassed by overwhelming numbers of different regiments, it was borne along at a very rapid rate, in the vortex of the confusion. By the presence of cavalry and cannon, and of capsized waggons and baggage, its march was interrupted and its files broken. Many of the men, therefore, who could not keep up were dis- persed among the fugitives ; the brigade of waggons, stopped by insuperable obstructions on tlie road, was abandoned, and the company thus routed lost many of its knapsacks and most of its intrenching tools, baggage, and horses.'" Such are the '" To show how serious was the alarm, aud how great the number of fugi- tives, the following extract from general orders, dated Nivelles, iiOth June, 1815, will fully testify:— " 3. The Field Marshal has observed that several soldiers, and even officers, have quitted their rauks without leave, and hive gone to Bruxelles, and even some to Antwerp, where, aud in the country t. -ough which they have passed, they have spread a false alarm, in a manner highly unmilitary and derogatory to the character of soldiers. " 4. The Field Marshal requests the General Officers commanding divisions in the British army, aud the General Officers commanding the corps of each nation of which the army is composed, to report to him in writing, what officers and men (the former by name) are now, or have been, absent without leave since the Kith instant. " r>. The Field Marshal desires that the 14th article of the 14th section of the Articles of War may be inserted in every orderly book of the British army, in order to remind officers and soldiers of the punishment affixed by law to the crime of creating false alarms." — 'Garwood,' viii., p. I.^ti, edit. 1847. Nearly 2ii0(t men were returned " missing," the greater number of whom were said to have gone to the rear with wounded officers and soldiers. — 'Gur- wood,' viii., p. 151, edit. 1847. Hut the probability is, that very few of this strength returned into the buttle, but, worked upon by the alarm, helped to swell the force of the renegades. Under the circumstances, the retreat of the 234 HISTORY OF THE [1816. facts of this ill-understood affair, which deserve to be riewed more with regret than animadversion ; but Colonel Carmichael Smyth, jealous of the honour of uie corps, and feeling this apparent taint upon its charac' jr, was higlily displeased, and company of sappers is fairly exonerated, .iressed as it was by masses of troops of all nations, who fled from the field in infamous haste and terror. It is right to go a step further, and show what was the effect of the alarm at Brussels — 24 miles away from the position ; and thus notice the conduct of one who should be recognized in these pages. Some hours before the company arrived at Brussels, the panic was so complete, that the inhabitants flew in all directions from the horrors of an anticipated calamity, and not a few of the soldiers quartered in the place swelled the rout. Sergeant-major Hilton in charge of a detachment of sappers, prepared for the worst by packing the plans, charts, &c., of the engineer department, and also the military baggage of the commanding royal engineer. As all his own drivers had disappeared, he harnessed a couple o( horses in readiness to move should necessity force him. A Belgic servant of Colonel Carmichael Smyth's, who had been in the French service, ought to have assisted, but showing signs of treachery, an altercation ensued, in which, to save himself from the cut of a sabre, the sergeant-major wounded the shins of the Belgian with a stroke from a crowbar. Expecting no aid from this faithless foreigner, the sergeant-major looked about for more reliable intel- ligence respecting the rumoured reverse at Waterloo. While doing so the Commandant of Brussels accosted him, which led to his explaining the course he intended to pursue to preserve the plans, &c., from falling into the hands of the enemy. After remarking that there was no fear of the French reaching the city, the Commandant desired him to order the provost, with all the dis- posable men of his guard, to wait upon him immediately at the Rue Royale. Sergeant Hilton promptly complied ; but the provost — this paragon of order and discipline — could not be found ; and his irresolute men were only too desirous of following in the wake of the winged crowd. At last about nine of the guard accompanied the sergeant-major to the Rue Royale, where the Com- mandant ordered him to station the men across the road leading to Antwerp. " Stop every waggon," he roared, furious at the insane sight that everywhere met his gaze, " and run any one through who attempts to pass in violation of your orders !" The terror of the citizens was at its highest, soldiers of every country were pouring into the capital ; all was confusion and haste ; the streets were lined with vehicles in endless variety, and each owner was striving to out- ride his neighbour in the frantic chase. It required to be firm at such a time, and the sergeant-major, quite as stem as the Commandant, drew his sword, and opposing himself and his small guard to the onward movement of the vans, gtemnted with difficulty the flight. Quickly the horses were withdrawn from the shafts, to prevent the possibility of whipping them forward ; and turning a waggon with its broadside to the stream, the outlet was thus partially closed. So great now was the pressure from behind that waggon drove on waggon, and smashing in the roadway, the passage was at length blocked up with an impenetrable barricade, which effectually checked the efflux of the fugitives to Antwerp, and calmed the agitation of the people. 1815.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINEHS. 235 refused to recommend the officers und men of the company for the Waterloo honours and advantages." Another company ordered to Waterloo on the 18th June, gained much praise for its firmness and regularity in pushing up to the field. Tiiis was the eighth company, second battalion, under Sub-Lieutenant Patrick Johnston. At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 18th it marc'i!<;d from Antwerp, and on arrival at Brussels Lieutenant Johnston, finding that the captain of the company as well as the commanding royal engineer and his staff were in the field, at once moved on for Waterloo. Crowds of wounded soldiers, anxious runaways, dismantled waggons and cannon, greatly impeded the march. From all he met he received the most discouraging advice, but amid the general ])anic and the numerous obstacles he had to contend with, he resolutely pursued his march and reached the village ■■ The only soldier of the corps actually in the battle was lance-corporal Henry Donnelly, who was orderly to Captain and Brigade-Major, now Major- General Oldfield, K.H. He was present on the 17th and 18th, and Colonel Carmichael Smyth, who was seriously indisposed on the night of the 1 7th, was much indebted to him for his care and attention. His claim to a medal was warmly advocated by the Major, who testified to his presence in the field for two days, but Colonel Smyth never would allow that he was entitled to it. At the final rejection of his just right corporal Donnelly was so much affected, that shortly after he went into hospital, and died on the 25th July, 1817. The claim of corporal Donnelly hud been officially recognized at one time in the following order by the officer commanding his company : — " Company orders. Argeuteuil, August G, 181.5. In consequence of private Henry Donnelly being present at the battle of Waterloo, be is entitled to two years advance of service. Ho will therefore be mustered according to the regu- lations of his Royal Highness the Prince llegent, dated 29th July, 1815. — (Signed) Ed. Covey, Lieutenant Royal Engineers." And he was so mustered until July I81C, when Colonel Smyth ordered its discontinuance, making at the same time these remarks : — " The sapper in question rode out a horse of Major Oldfield's on the 17th, and returned to Brussels on the morning of the 18th, without having seen an enemy or heard a shot fired. He was in Brussels during the actions of the Kith and 18th; and under these circumstances I should have bc-en guilty of a dereliction of duty to have certified that he was entitled to a medal, and which he could hardly have worn ■ •< he parade of his company, in preference to the very good non-commissioned officers and men of that company, who have constantly done their duty much to my satisfaction and their own credit ; and who could not but liave felt aggrieved tu have seen a mark of distinction bestowed upon private Donnelly without his having in any way deserved it." 236 HISTORY OP THE '■1815. of Waterloo at 4 o'clock p.m., in a state that reflected preat credit upon tlie discipline and perseverance of ihe conij)any. Late in the evening, after tiring liad ceased, tis there were many inducements to plundering and straggling. Lieutenant Johnston withdrew the company a short distance on the Brussels road, and placed it in an empty barn till next morn- ing, wlien it commenced its march for Paris. In applauding the company for its steadiness and order under trying circum- stances, Colonel C. Smyth alluded in a particular manner to the meritorious conduct of Lieutenant Johnston. Neither the officer nor his men were considered entitled to the Waterloo medal and extra service ; and for several years afterwards many of the company claimed these advantages with unprece- dented pertinacity, but without effect. " The experience of former defects in the Peninsula," wrote Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley, "led to the more perfect organi- zation of the field establishment of the royal engineer depart- ment." On the 20th June orders to eft'ect the arrangement were issued by (Joloncl C. Smyth. " Every division of the army had one engineer's brigade attached to it ; each brigade consisting of a complete company of well-trained sappers and miners, with drivers, horses and waggons carrying entrenching tools sufficient to employ a working party of 500 men, besides a proportion of artificers' tools, and other engineer stores." '" The number of companies so distributed was six. " A captain and a certain number of subaltern officers w(;re attached to each brigade, and were responsible for the discipline of the men and efficiency of the horses," &c.'' Four companies were attached to the pontoon train, " which," according to the same authority, " consisted of eighty poi.toons, besides store-waggons, &c., and was drawn by nearly 800 horses, the whole being under the command of Brevet-Major Tylden of the engineers, assisted by a due proportion of captiiins and subalterns of the same corps." '* The second company, fourth battalion, under Sub-Lieutenant Samuel " Paslcy's 'Elementary Fortification,' i., note f, p. xii. i-" Ibid. '* Ibid 1816.] ROYAL SAITRRS AND MINERS. 237 M'Lean, of sixty-seven total, having joined the army from England soun after the disposition, was also added to the ])ontoon train. The total of the engineer establishment with the army and in the Netherlands, under the command of about sixty officers of engineers, amounted to 10 sub lieutenants and b38 soldiers of the royal 8aj)pers and miners, and, adds Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley, " 550 drivers in charge of KiO waggons, pontoon car- riages included, and more than 1,000 horses." Besides medical officers and other non-combatants, and a large force of peasants emj)loyed on the works, " a small number of Flemish seamen, accustomed to rivers and coasting navigation, was attached to each division of the pontoon train." " The hired drivei*s, paid at l.v. G(7. a-day each and rations, were provided with a uniform of grey clothing, hiiving red cuffs and collars to their round jackets ; and the Flemish seamen, re- ceiving each an allowance of 2*. a-day and rations, were dresseeiiinsula equipped only with swords. The evil of this was greatly felt, as the sappers could not march across the country without being guarded by other troops. For the same reason the company attached to the light division, which was required for the siege of Bayonne, was unable to join. Upwards of 400 sappers were employed in that siege, and might, had they been equipped with fire-arms, have rendered important assistance in repelling the disastrous sortie. Eleven companies were sent to the Netherlands in a similarly defenceless state. Before moving them, Earl Mulgrave was ready to abide by the views of the Duke of Wellington on the point, as his Grace promised to consider the question when the first company should arrive ; but no farther notice appears to have been taken of the subject, and the whole eleven companies landed without a firelock. When the alanning and unfounded reports of the retreat of the British from Waterloo reached Malines, Major Tylden, with the pontoon companies under his command, assumed a posture of defence ; but the attitude, from want of arms, .tas necessarily impotent and embarrassing. This gave the Major a notion, when afterwards crossing the plains of Waterloo, of arming the companies with muskets and accoutrements scattered on the battle-field ; the idea, however, from some regimental considerations wais not carriec' out. 1817.] IIOYAL SAPPERS AND MINElic 248 •i On one occasion, near St. Denis, all the sappers of the army, nearly 1,000 strong, wore assembled to witness an execution, and strange to add, in that imposing force there was not a single fire-arm ! A t another time there was an inspection of the pontoon train of eighty pontoons and other carriages, with horses, drivers, and pontoneers, occupying a line of road nearly two miles in length. The sappers were present in their whole strength, but without a musket in their ranks to show the quality of protection they could afford to the immense charge intrusted to them. Fifty men with fire-arms could easily have destroyed the whole force in ten minutes. These instances and others equally striking, occurring in an enemy's country, were strongly brought under the notice of the higher powere ; but, where representations and remonstrances founded on the neces- sities of the service failed to obtain attention, accidental circum- stances at last gained the desired object. At the great reviews in France, the bridges required for the passage of the army were thrown the evening previously, and the sappers conse- quently were free for any other duty. Usually they were employed to represent the enemy, and to show the line of the enemy's position to advantage it was considered l)est to effect it by musketry fire. Ordei-s wore therefore given, on the 8th Oc- tober, to supply the comj)ani('s with muskets and bayonets fi'ora the stores at Valenciennes ; and from this trivial incident may be dated the period from which the corps was properly and uni- formly armed. To keep up the training and efficiency of the corps in France, Sir James Carmichael Smyth issued to each non-commissioned officer and fifty of the most steady and intelligent privates, books and useful articles for theii- instruction and improvement. Schools were also established for the men, and prizes liberally awarded for industrious application and advancement. To perfect the corps in the use of the firelock and marching evolu- tions, five Serjeants from the light infantry regiments in France were specially appointed to the duty. Each company was also required to execute a certain portion of field-work everj year and reports of individual progress in instruction Wvjre prepared 24(t HISTORY OP THR [1817. weekly, which were carefully examined, and promotion dis- tributed according to merit. 1'hc pontoon train, which was con- stantly in motion and sustained a high character for activity and usefulness, was only expected to do half the work demanded from the divisional companies ; and this course of professional and general education, based uj)on the system of Lieutenant- Colonel Pasley, was scrupulously enforced until the companies quitted France in November, 1818. Notwithstanding all this attention on the part of the officers, there was much misconduct prevalent in the sappers. During the period that eleven comjjanies were with the army, courts' martial were very uncommon, and the punishments infinitely fewer than were found necessary to keep only five companies in order. Tiiis suggests a difficulty not easily explained ; for, when the six companies were removed from the country in 1816, the weeds from the other five were sent to England, and their places supplied by privates of unexceptionable character. So rigid indeed had the drilling been enforced that at the last reviews in the vicinity of Valenciennes, the correct manner in which the royal sa))pers and miners were handled by Captain Harry D. Jones, when representing the enemy, excited general approbation. Tlieir light infantry evolutions even emulated those of their old companions in arms of the light division, whose only business was that of constant exercise in the require- ments of the parade and in martial movements and combina- tions. The formation of " rallying scjuare " by the companies was particularly conmiended ; and those who did not justly appreciate their military attainments from the semi-civil nature of their many employments — expected to see them Hy, as the cavalry, in its impetuous charges over the plain, furiously ap- proached their compact and immoveable j)halanx. \Viiile these disciplinary exercises were in operation, it hap- pened that the fourth company second battalion at Valen- ciennes, was suddenly called upon to extinguish a fire in the town. So well applied were their eflbrts in this humane service that the flames were sjjcedily supj)ressed amid the thankful shouts of the peo])]e. This seemingly was not enough to mark 1817. J 1{()YAL SAPPEKS AND MINEItS. 217 their jrratitude, and therefore the mayor and corporation in full municipal costume bearing the symbols of their offices, waited upon (.'aptain Harry Jones to express the dcej) acknowledjrments of the inhabitants " to the officers and men of the corjjs for their conduct on the occasion." In his cn'ders of the 2nd November, Cajjtain Jones added, " The activity displayed by the non-com- missioned officers and privates as well as the cheerfulness with which they executed all orders reflects the highest credit upon them. Tiie bold conduct of private Tlumias James deserves to be particularly mentioned," and he was appointed a lance corporal. Early in the year the high-fronted chaco was superseded by a black felt cap of more military pretensions than was formerly worn. It was embellished with yellow cords and tassels, which fell with chivalric gaiety upon the left shoulder. The sergeants and staff sergeants wore white heckle feathers, gold bands and cords, with gilt scales and ornaments. — Sec Plate XII, 1823 In March the drums throughout the corps were abolished and bugles adopted. The rank of drummer was also changed to accord with the alteration, and drum-major James Bailey, the first of the rank, was now styled bugle-major. The return of peace gave rise to a gradual reduction in the corps. On the IGth August, 181(), twenty-five men per com- pany were lopped off. This took away 800 men, reducing the corps from 2,8l51 to 2,061 of all ranks. By the royal warrant of the 4th Felmiary, 1817, an entire battalion was disbanded, and a further diminution of ten privates and one drunnner took {)lace in each of the remaining twenty-four companies. From the staff was taken one adjutant, one sergeant-major, and one quartermaster-sergeant, and also the whole of the sub- lieutenants, thirty-two in number.'' The establishment of the " Generally tlio sub-licuteuants were commissioned into tlie corps from the ranks of oilier regiments, as a patronage to the military friends of the Master- General. Many of them had distinguished themselves in the field, were good drills, and fine-looking soldiers ; but though considered at first to promise well, they disappointed the expectations formed of their probable usefulness. Want- ing the necessary ability and weight, they were neither reipccted in the army nor by the corps; and unable, therefore, to give tlie satisfaction which «a> reasonably hoped for, the first reduction ordered after the peace, embraced Ih 243 HISTORY OF THE [1818. corps was thus decreased to twenty-four companies of 1,258 of all ranks.^ In consequence of these orders, the companies at Dover and Spike Island were withdrawn, as also the detachment at Guernsey. The force at Gibraltar was reduced from four to three companies, and the strength at Woolwich and Chatham was brought down to a fluctuating establishment of five com- panies. The company discontinued on the works at Spike Island, sailed for Barbadoes on the 17th December, 1817, on board the ' Thames of London ' freight-ship, to relieve the old com- pany which landed there in January, 1794. The vessel encountered some very stormy weather on the voyage, from the eflPects of which Lieutenant Rogers, II.E., who commanded the company, died when near Madeira, and the charge of the men devolved upon Captain Robert Duport of the royal artillery. Not a single irregularity was committed by the sappers during the voyage, and on their arrival in Carlisle Bay on the 18th January, Lord Combermere, the governor, expressed in orders his high satisfaction of their excellent conduct as reported to him by Captain Duport. On the landing of the new company, the old West India hands, dwindled to twenty-eight in number including sergeants, were sent to St. Lucia, and assisted in repairing the damage done by a recent hurricane. In March following, they arrived in England and were disbanded. In summing up their cha- racter. Colonel William Johnston, of the engineers, thus abolition of the rank. — Pasley's Mil. Pol., pp. 18, 19, Introduction. Their removtil from the corps was, nevertheless, alluded to in terms of " extreme regret" by Colonel Carniichael Smyth in his orders of the 22nd April. In concluding his address at parting, he thus wrote, " With the conduct of the whole of the sub-lieutenants Colonel Carmichael Smyth has had every reason to be satisfied, but more particularly with those who, having been longest under his command, he has had more occasion of knowing. If, in the course of future service, he should have any opportunity of being useful to them, he assures them he will embrace it with pleasure.'' * In addition to this total 180 men of the companies in France were born* on the strength as supernumeraries, until December, 1818. 1818.] KUYAL SAPl'EHS AND MINEliS. 249 wTote, " They are a drunken set, and requirt; to be thought of and provided for like babies ;" but, nevertlieless, he urged that the sapper force in Barbadocs should be always maintitined complete, as it would act as a check -pon the contractors, and enable the estimates to be carried into execution with more despatch, economy, and superiority of workmanship in almost all the dctjiils, than if an equal number of artificers were derived from the country. A company of fifty strong, intended for the service of the palace of the Lord High Commissioner at Corfu, embarked at Portsmouth on the 4th May, and after a month's detention at Malta reached its destination in August. The employment of the company was chiefly confined to clearing away the rock, by blasting, for the foundations of the pjilace, and in executing such other miscellaneous services as were required. From local disl privates. Total . 62; and the whole were distributed, with regard to strength, con- 254 IIISTOIIY OF THE ri819. sistently with the relative wants of the several stations. These stations were Woolwich, Chatham, Portsmouth, and Plymouth ; Gibraltar, Corfu, Bermuda, Barbadoes, St. Helena, Kingston in Upper Canada, and the Cape of Good IIoj)e.' A reinforcement of thirty men, under Lieutenant Rutherford, ll.E., arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on the 24th July. In consequence of hostilities with the Kaffirs the detachment marched 700 miles to the south-eastern frontier. It traversed a wild and thickly-wooded country, where there were neither bridges nor roads; and in the absence of soldiers of the quarterrorister-general's department, facilitated by their exer- tions the progress of the troops. In places where civil artificers could not be procured at any rate of wages, they executed various services and works of defence for the security and tran- quillity of the settlement. On one occasion they constructed a temporary bridge . of chmce materials, to span one of the prin- cipal rivers of the country, which was swollen by Hoods, and rendered deep, rapid, and dangerous. The bridge was thrown in six hours, and the whole of the force, about 2,000 hoi-se and foot, a demi-battery of guns with ammunition waggons, about 100 baggage waggons with commissariat supplies, camp equi- page, &c., crossed in perfect safety, in three hours. " ^^'ithout the assistance of these sappers," writes Colonel IloUoway, R.E., " the river could not have been passed without much delay, loss of property, and perhaps loss of Ufe ;" and, "both on the ' The companies at Ncwfouudland and at Halifax, Nova Scotia, returned to England late iu 1819. To the former company belonged scrgcarJ Thomas Hrown, who was discharged from the corps in November, 181S», after a service of twelve years. In 18-21 the late Sir William Coi-i^ ".'c appointed him modeller at the royal military repository, Woolwich, whicn situation he has held for *hirtj-six years with great credit. In that period he lias made 125 models, chiefly of field artillery, pontoons, bridges, and miscellaneous military subjects. The greatest number are deposited for exhibition in the Itotunda, and the ret.diuder in the rooms of instructioa for the officers and non-commissioned of.cers. Many others aho, which were defective or out of repair he has renewed or remade. His principal works, considered with regard to the skill and artistic excellence displayed iii their construction, are the model of a fortified half octagon showing* the approaches and plan of ritlack, on a scale of 22^ feet to an inch, and a mi. .filled to Isle aux Nolx in August. In November, 1822, 'ii< frr iter part of the com])any was removed to Quebec, and til ^iiiiinder were retained for the works at Isle aux Nolx. troui July to November, a sergeant and nine men, chif'fly carpenters and smiths, were emj)loyed by the Board of longi- tude under Major Colby and Captain Kater, in tlie operations for detenniiiing the difference of longitude between the obser- vatories at Paris and Greenwich ; and visited ten of the prin- ' Was ail pxcpllciit clerk, and became in iime a ritiartermastcr-scrppant. Aftci- his discharge from the corps in ISt.'l, he filled, for about ten years, important otfices under the Surveyor-Genernl of Prisons, and died while steward of DartmiKn- Prison, in February, 18.5.1, from a cold caupht in that 1' 'aK .irarter. The season was a peculiarly hitter and stormy one, during wliicli three sohlicrs of the line, on escort duty, in crossing Dartmoor Heath, perished in the snow. VOi-. 1. S 268 HKTORY OF THE ri823. cipal trigonometrical stations in England. Besides attending to the laborious requirements of the camp, the party erected poles, and constructed stages or platforms wherever needed, on commanding sites and towers, for purposes of observation ; and were .■ i ■■'' 'sted with the care of the philosophical instru- ments. , professional operations of the season they took no part.' In June, one sergeant and thirty-nine rank and file under Captain John Harper, R.E., were detached from Woolwich to Feversham, and after destroying the powder-mills and premises connected with them, returned to head-cjuarters in September. The first company of the corps, which had been at Gibraltar since 1772 and was present at the celebrated siege a few years afterwards, was removed, in the course of relief, from that for- tress to ^V^oolwich in June. Breast or belt-plates of brass, in place of buckles, were adopted early in the year by permission of General Gother Mann. All ranks wore u plate of uniform device and dimen- sions, and each soldier paid for his own. The c' 'ice consisted of the royal cipher, encircled by the garter, bearing tlie name of the corps and surmounted by a crown. A fluctuating detachment, not exceeding thirteen masons and miners under a corporal, was detached in the autumn from Devonport to St. Nicholas Island, and remained there for nearly four months repairing the fortifications. At the fall of the year the engineer commission to the A\'est Indies, composed of (Jolouel Sir James Carmichiicl Smyth, Major Fanshawe, and Captain Oldfield inspected, in the course of their professional tour, the fourth coirpany of sai)pers stii- tioned at Barbadoes under the command of Captain Loyalty Peake. Its state was most creditable. Since its Jirrivnl in the connnand it had only lost one man and that from an accident. Whilst other troops quartered under the same roof were ' Captain Kater, in his account of the operations published in the ' Philo- sopliical Transaction!.,' 1828, p. 153, notices, by mistalie, this party as belonging to the royal urtilleiy. Tliere were, it is true, two gunners of the regiment pr'Rcnt, but they weie employed as servants to the officers. CO 3 ^ 1=) 868 lIISTOnX OF THE n823. .•ipal trigoiKiractrioal stations in Kncrland. fJosides attending to tlio lHlt<>riovr< r<^juirw!i imp, the i«yty erected i ■'. ' oiMruottti .:t-5i4;< ~ ;,; jj.aiurms A'hcrti', ..t iii>»h1o<1, oh -. ui- uug .sites and towers, for purposoti of ob>*enia ajtil tki^' .ml: .nid file under C-'aptain John iJnqwr, R.E., weru detached fioui SV,»<)hvlL'h to revernhaB), and after destroying the puwder-jnilk iUM n,iMnJscs counectwl with them, n.tunied Ui head-ttuart«r& ii; iS«j>teniUT. The tirst ooiupany of tho corps, wiiich had huen ait (^tbrttltar «uce J772 and w.os present at the celebrated sieire a few years afterward-H, w.is reuiov( u, in flio course of relief, from tluit for- tress to W oolwich in .lunc. Breast or bolt-platea of brass, in place, of buckles, \\ ere \dopted early in the year by permission of (j!eii;;nd Gotlier Maun. .Ml raiikd wore a plate of unitorni device and dimen- sions, and each HoUlier jwid for liis own. The device consisted of the royal cipher, encircled by the garter In^arip^r tlie name of th»i c« j-ps and .-unnounted by a crown. A fluctuating detaeluncnt, not exceeding tiiivtti'n niii.sons iind minera under a corpornl, v/m detached in the autmnu from Uovonpcrt to St. Nichuiay Ishmd, and remained then- '' <■ tiearly four months rej)airing the fortiiicatiuns. At the fail of the year the engineer commission to the \\ e:?t Indies, cou)posed of Colonel Sir Jaiiifs C'anjiJehnel Smyth, Major Fanshawe, and (Japtain Oldfieltl /ii.le. Sin x' It- *rf«%jd in the fonnnand it bad only loal uiu inan and tlia. rvni an accident.- Whilst ottwr tw)op» quai't: .u. up«friitions pu'ilisUed lu the 'I'hilo- sopliical 'I'rausaoiionii,' lSi!S, p. ! JU, lioticcs, b_y mislako, this party as btluiigiui; Ui till' loyal anilli-'ry. There were, it is true, two guiint'n> of th« rcgiiiieut |ir wiii, bur ila-y wurw oni{il"yo7as nominated to the appointment as the fittest person in the colony to disc?)arge its professional duties, but the youth fell a sacrifice to the climate four days after his father's decease. The eight remaining orphans were generously cared for by Sir Frederic Mulcaster, the inspector-general of fortifications and the executive of the corps at the Ordnance Office, who ob- tained from the oflicers of royal engince' and the civil gentlemen of the de- partment sufficient mt-ans to free them fron that distress, to which the absence of this benevolent support wo\il(t have inevitably reduced them. s 2 2(50 HISTORY OF TIIK ri824. honest, trustworthy set of mon, and do honour to the corps." " The worst nierhaiiic amoiialiont ]H)inta of the conteinijlated fortifications, rniiginjr in (le))th from thirty to sixty feet IJorinffs were also made on the Isle of Grain, and the men of the l)arty were occasionally employed at their trades in the enffineer department. Corjjoral Shorter rejjistered the daily ])ro}?re8s and resnlta of the opera- tion f bnt, although the intended works were never undertaken, the horinjrs were not without interest in addinj?' their cpiota of infornmtion to the cumulative discoveries of fireological re- search. The leather forajjc cap Introduced in 1813, was this year superseded by a dark blue cap, called the Kilmarnock bonnet, with a yellow band manufactured in the web, and a peak and chin-strap. The crown was of immense circumference. See Plate XIII. The corporals wore the chevrons of their rank above tlie peak. The superior ranks had blue cloth caps, with peaks, chin-straps, and gold lace bands. The Kilmarnock bonnets were purchased by the men ; the Icatlier caps had been supplied by the public. About this ])eriod the army pattern sword for staff-sergeants and sergeants was adopted in the corps ; but tlie swords intro- duced for the buglers were of the artillery pattern. " Shorter was afterwards stationed for fourteen years at Corfu. For seven of his twenty-seven years' service he filled the office of (luartermastcr-sergeant, and was honoured with an annuity and medal for his meritorious conduct. Ho retired from the sappers on hcing appointed a Yeoman of the Queen's Guard, and was the first non-commissioned officer of the corps who received a nomi- nation to that ancient company. While he was all that could he desired in his corps in respect to efficiency and intelligence, in private life he was a thorough humourist, and the most simple incident, with scarcely an element for merriment in it, hccame by bis droll inventorial recital, a subject of the richest amusement. c:?^ ii 562 mSTOM OF THE [18-24. penuaucnt wwrtw «f dcftmce. 'Hie kirii^ were caiTied on at all tlui !*a!»eni |*r«i:t!H!t' tb«.(X)Bte!iJ:|fel*»<^ furtifiaUiojis, ranfi^iiig in dt^i^th tffj-ni thirty 1m iixty feet llpriiirp' were abo made on fHi i;4e of (jrain, and tlio mcTi of the party wire t)c<^ jonally li U>yel,>, was p- war supfir«ed(vl in- -i «i»-(< blue ctip, cjilled tin* Kilmariivwik bt^nnet, with •? ,^ ' vturod in the web, and a jM-ftk ac , nor ranks had blue cloth capp, witii peakfc, chin-strajw, and gold lace bauds. The Kilmarnock bonnets were purchased by the men ; . the leatiier cajw had becii supplied by the ])uhUc. ASkmii this jKirifKl the army pattern swoid for staffraerKeants and sergeants was rtdvptini in the cotp» ; but ttw; r ..irdji uitro- dt«%l for ihi> b!,.f'er3 were of tiie artillery jvittcru " Short* ' : : -.varUs atationvd for fonnoen years- at tlorfti. For seven of his ttrenty-scveu years' ser.ice ho tJUfil tlje oflicc of quartcnniustor-sergtant, and was Iioni>mv that ancient company. While lie was all ihnt.oouid \k defiirttl iii ln< corps in rosppct to effioiuncy and intelligt'xioc, i.i private life he wa.^ ;i thorough humourist, and the most simple lacidtut, with scare* ly au r Icrnent for merriment in it, liHcaino by hisi droll inventorial rt/^ital, a subji-ct of the ricbt>st amiHrfr/wM. ]82fi.3 llOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 1825—1826. Dress— Curtailment of benefits by the change— Chacos— Survey of Ireland— Formation of the first company for the duty — Establishment of corps; com- pany to Corfu— Second company for the survey— Kffbrts to complete the companies raised for it — Pontoon trials in presence of the Duke of Wellington — Western Africa — Third company for the survey ; additional working pay — Employments and strength of the sappers in Ireland -Drummond Light; Slieve Snacht and Divis — Endurance of private Alexander Smith — Wreck of ' Shipley ' transport — lierbice ; Corporal Sirrell at Antigua. Eauly in the year the breeches, lonjr iraiters, and shoes, ceased to be woni by the coqis, and in their stead were 'istituted light blue trousers, with scarlet st.-'pes, and short >\ I'llinjjton boots. Tlie cfi'itee was strlpt of its frogging on the hreast ; and the skirts, with the shishes sewn transversely on the loinx, were lengthened to the swell of the tiiigh. White turnbacks were added to the inner edges of the skirt^s and brass grenades united the turnbacks near the bottom of the skirts. The work- ing jacket was simply altered in the collar fi'om the open to the close Prussian fashion, and the working trousers were dyed of a dee))er grey. — See Plate XIII. These alterations were followed by curtailments of benefits heretofore enjoyed by the corps, inasmuch as the stockings, shirts, and forage cajis, amuially issued with the clothing, ceased to be provided at the jiublii- expense. The allowances for oil and enn^ry, and shoes, were also abolished ; but in lieu of the one ])air of shoes fonnerly issued, and the compensation for a second pair, the corps had the advantage of receiving, yearly, two pairs of short Wc'lington boots. Tlie low chaco of 1817 gave place to one of about ten inches 204 llIS'J'OltY OF THE [1825. If in lieij^ht, bearino; a goose feather of a foot long in an exploded grenade. The ornaments consisted of seniles secured by lions' heads, the garter and motto encircling the royal cipher sur- mounted by a crown, and also a cluster of forked lightning^ winged. For protection to the neck in wet weather, a var- nished canvas v,ar-cover was attivched to the back of the ca]). — See Plate Xlll. The ornaments on the statf-sergeants' chacos were of excellent gilt, and a band of rich silk, embossed with acorns and oak leaves around the top of the cap, gave it an elegant appearance. The sergeants' ornaments wjre manufac- tured of a metid resembling copper, and the black bands were of plain narrow silk. Both ranks wore white heckle feathers. In June, l^^-t, a committee of the House of Commons reconmiended the trigonometrical survey of Ireland, with the view of apportioning oijually the local burdens, and obtaining a general valuation of the whole country. The measure was sanctioned, and Cclonel Thomas Colby, R.E., was ajjpointed to superintend the work. It being intended that the survey should be conducted under military supervision, Major William Reid suggested the advantage to be derived from the co-operation of the royal sa])pers and miners in carrying out its subordinate details. Colonel Colby after due reflection, the result of a dis- cussion of nearly six weeks' duration with Major Reid, con- sidering the plan to be not only practicable but desirable, made known liis wishes to the Duke nf WeUington, then Master- General of the Ordnance, and on the 1st IX'cember, 1^24, his Grace obtained a royal warrant for the fornuitlon of a company of sixty-two non-commissioned oflScers and men, to be employed in the operations of the survey in Ireland.' This company was at once organized at Chatliam ; and the men, selected from the most intelligent of the corps at the station, were specially trained for the duty by Lieutenant- Colonel Pasley. It, however, remained for Colonel Colby, in giving effect to his great and comjirehcnsive sy^tem, to develop and enlarge the acquirements and efficiency of the men, by ' ' lieport Army iiiul Ordimuce Expenditure,' Minutes nf Kvidenee, p. 017. ■ Naval and Military Cjazette.' l'asluy"s 'Mil. I'olicy,' Introd., p. 37, 4th edit. iV n o tl n t( t r s 1 1826.1 llOYAL SAITEUS AND MINEltS. 2G5 adapting them to the"various details and necessities of this novel service. In doing so he encountered difficulties of no ordinary character ; but eventually he succeeded in achieving the end he sought, not without credit to the mass whom he moulded and fashioned to the purpose, as well as great honour to himself. By the augmentation of this company the establishment of the corps was increased to thirteen companies, of 814 of all ranks, including the staff. The first detachment of one colour- sergeant and twenty rank and file was conveyed to Dublin in March under the command of Lieutenant Edward Vicars, R.E., and was soon removed from Mountjoy to Dromore, where, in April, further reinforcements arrived, completing the comi)any to its establishment ; and the whole were distributed in small sections to iVntrim, Belfast, Coleraine, Dungiven, London- derry, &c., from whence the corps, by degrees, traced its progress all over Ireland. Mtijor Reid was aj)j)ointed to command the first survey company, which was numbered tlie thirteenth. On the 24th March, the sixth company, of sixty-two total, sailed for Corfu on board the ' Baltic' merchant transport, and landed there on the 14th May. This addition to the command was made at tiie instance of the Ionian government for the purpose of executing tlie works and fortifications at Corfu and Vido. By the warrant for raising this company, dated 4th April, 1825, the corps mustered fourteen companies, and counted 87G officers and soldiers of all ranks. All the regi- mental and 'working disbursements of the company, and of others arriving at tlie station in periodical relief, were for a uumber of years paid from the Ionian exchequer. While the instruction of the first survey company was still in progress, steps were taken for the formation of another com- pany for the same service. The Duke of ^^\'llington expressed his conviction of tlie propriety of the measure from tlie sfitis- factory iidvancement already made in the ])rot'essioiial education of the comiiany raised for the duty early in the year. C)n tlie 4tli Ajjril, 1825, therefore, his Grace obtained another warrant 266 HISTORY OF THE [1825. for the employment of a second company in the operations of the survey of Great Britain and Ireland. This company was numbered the fourteenth ; and being of the same numerical organization as the other companies, viz., sixty-two men, the establishment of the corps was raised from 876 to 938. At Harwich, Hull, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Liverpool, Corn- wall, Fort George, as well as in London and Edinburgh, recruiting for these companies was carried on very briskly. Recruiting at Dublin was also permitted ; and some draftsmen from the Dublin Society School were, about this period, enlisted for the survey companies. The Military Asylum at Chelseji and the Hibernian School were likewise cimvassed to procure eligible boys for training; but such was the circum- scribed nature of the education imparted to the children at Chelsea, that of the number selected to join the comi)anies, a few only were found that gave promise of future aptitude and usefulness ; and of those who succeeded, none ever distinguished themselves by their talents. From the Hibernian School ten boys were received, all of whom were clever and intelligent ; but one lad far outshone his comrades, and in time, by his zeal, extensive mathematical attainments, and varied acipiiremcnts, gained the highest position in the sappers on the survey. The person alluded to is Quartermaster William Young. The fourteenth company quitted Chatham for the survey, and landed at Belffist, its first head-quarters, on the 15th July. On the 2Gt'i September, a trial of the capabilities of the jHintoons invented by Sir James Colleton, Colonel Pasley, and ^Nlajor Blanshard, took place at Chatham in the presence of the Duke of \\'ellington ; and the men of the corps employed on the occasion displayed much zeal, spirit, and activity. Sergeant Jenkin Jones was particularly praised for his conduct in ma- naging the pontoons of Major Blanshard ; and as the Master- General arrived a day earlier than was expected, and ordered at night the exhibition to take place the next morning, much of the success of the eftbrts in favour of the cylindrical pontoons is ascribed to the sergeant's able and zealous arrangements and personal exertions. This induced Colonel Pasley to re- 1825.] ROYAL SAPPEHS AND MINERS. 867 of as ;al le at commend sergeant Jones as a non-commissioned officer fit to be entrusted with any difficult or important detached duty, which mijiht save the services of an officer. One private, William Berry, fell from a raft during the trial, and was drowned. Sergeant William Addison and second-corporal James AMiite embarked at Portsmouth on board the ' I)esj)atch ' in November for the coast of Africa, and were employed under the direction of Cajrtain 11. Boteler, II.E., in surveying the British de])endencies and forts at Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast. The corporal died on the service, and the sergeant landed at Portsmouth 10th August, 1826, and rejoined his corps. A third survey company, of sixty-two non-commissioned officers and men, was formed in December, under a royal warrant, dated 20th October, 1825, and was numbered the sixteenth. The establishment of the corps was thus augmented from !)38 to 1,000 officers and soldiers. The rates of working ])ay authorized by the successivi; warrants were limited to the three ordinary classes of GcL, dd., and Is. a-day ; but extra- ordinary powers were granted to (Jolonel Colby, of awarding increased rates, jjroportionate to tlic attainments and exertions of the men, up to '2s. a-day. The maximum allowance was rarely bestowed, and then only upon non-commissioned officers, whose undoubted talents and services rendered them deserving '^f the distinction which the exclusiveness conferred. By the end of the year the eft'ectivc men on the survey counted 109 of all ranks, who were chiefly dispersed in the field. Several were emnloyed in offices as draftsmen and com- puters ; but at this ea.ly period very few were intrusted with any particular responsibility. Civilian assistants, for the most part, were second to the officers, and aided in superintending the management of the districts ; but in the field, the sappers took the lead as surveyors, never working as chainmen, or subordinately to the civilians. As the duty was new, their ([ualifications required tact and practice before a fair return of progress could be realized. In August very few had proved themselves of sufficiently matured aciiuiremeuts to merit ad- IIISTOliY OF THE [1825. vancement to Colonel Colby'a classes, and five only of the number had graduated as far as Is. id. a-day. The third survey company proceeded to Ireland in Sep- tember. In December the total force there imnibered 129 of all ranks, and 61 men were under training at Ciiatham. At the close of the year a party of the corps was attached to Captain Drummond to assist him in carrying on experiments and observations with his lamp and heliostat. The observing station was on Divis Mountain, near Belfast, and the season was fearfully inclement. Frequently the mountain and the camp were enveloped in snow, and the blowing of a keen cold wind made their situation anything but agreeable. On two or three occasions a storm visited their desolate location, and carried away in its blast, tents, baggage;, and stores. Still tiie men were sturdy in frame, willing in disposition, and exerted themselves in the discharge of their duties under trials of no ordinary character. A few men of the party, thirteen in number, were removed to Slieve Snacht in Donegal, to exhibit the light, that it might be observed from Divis. Tiie distance between the heights was sixty-six miles. The camp on Snacht was at an altitude of 2,000 feet, and the party peculiarly ex- posed. Few in number, they were ill able to buffet with the tempests of those cold regions; "'and the tents were so fre- quently blown down," and had become so shattered and torn, " that, after the first few days, they abandoned them, and con- structed huts of rough stones, filling the interstices with turf." On this bleak mountain the success of the light was first proved. At night the lamp was directed on Divis. It was then dark, and both the camps were covered with snow. The wind blew piercingly over the mountain tops, and almost flayed the faces of the men as they worked. But it was on that stormy night that the light, first seen by the sapper sentry, "burst into view with surpassing splendour," and afterwards beaune one of the most useful agencies in the prosecution of the survey.^ Of this mountain }>arty one man in ])articular was noticed ' ' Prof. Papers,' iv. ; preface, pp. aiv. xvii. 182fl. HOYAL SAri'EIlS AND MINERS. 269 for liis hardihood and endurance. This was private Alexander Smith. In the mornin^ iuv Fi,,- \ ii,-.iviii<'i) it till . >< -'*iL.- . ■ . ■ ' • '!;t4 '''■■''' ' ■ ' ■ >?7?"'! 1832.] ROYAL SiiPPEP.S AND MINERS. 287 Deserted 35 Of whom two were apprehended and Transported Died Killed Drowned . . • , . Discliargi-d . . . . Invalids, and renin.""* of companies returnei.. to England , . . . Total . . 1 16 5 1 71 it;o transported. Hy blasting rock, either in the quarries or the canal. Thirty- seven at the Isthmi s of Rideaii Lake, and thirty-four at Hytown." Ky tlie redii'ition of these companies the establishment of v'le coi-])ji fell from 1,34'.) to 1,1 S7 of all rankf=. A material alteration was made in the clothing this year l)y clianging the coloiu- of the coatee from scarlet to the infantry red, and the style and decoration of the dress were also modi- fied, to correspond with the form of lacing adopted generally in the line.— See Plate XIV. The coatee of the bugle-major remained in all respects the same as before. Tlie buglers also retained the scarlet, Imt the style of wearing the lace accorded with that of the privates. For the working dre-5S, a roiuid jacket with bell buttons bear- ing the corps device, wiis established, instead of the jacket with short skirts. Of both uniform and working trousers, the colour was changed from light blue to dark Oxford mi.xture ; but the imiform trousers as formerly, were much finer than the work- ing ones. The red stripe djwn the outer seam waa two inches broad on the former, and half an inch wide on the latter. I^aced boots were also introduced this year in place of the short Wellingtons, issued for the first time in 1825. The leather stock hitherto sui)j)lied by the public, was now made an article of necessaries and provided at the cost of thesoldier. A detachment of seven masons and bricklayers under corporal Jolm Ilecd, embarked for the Mauritius on the 25th May and arrived there in the 'Arab,' transport, on the 13th November. This was the first jiarty of the corps that had ever landed at the Isle of I ranee. On board ship, great irregularity jwevailed '■' Most of tliise men received KM) acres of laud each as a reward for tlieir SLMvices and good conduct, and several were provided with appointments on the canal. 288 HISTORY ^T' THE [1832. among the troops ; but corporal Reed's party behaved in so exemplary a manner, that the report of their creditiible conduct was nuide the subject of a general order to the corps.''' The detachmcMit was sent to the island at the recommendation of Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers of tli royal engineers, for the purpose of leading and instructing the native artificers, and were quar- tered in some old slave huts at the Caudon. The first work undertaken by the sappers was the tower at Black River. ^^'bile this was in progress, a reinforcement of one colour- sergeaut, and twenty-two rank and file, under the command of Captain C. Grierson, R.E., landed from the ' Royal George,' freightship on the 22nd January, 1833, and afterwards assisted in the works at Black River, and also in the erection of tw , martello towers at Grand River. When these were complete^ the services of the entire detachment were chiefly confined to the building of the citadel on the Petite Montagne. In May six rank and file were detached from Plymouth to Pendennis Castle. In June of the next year the party was increased to two sergeants and eighteen rank and file, who were employed there until August in repairing the barracks and strengthening the ramparts. " Corporal Reed, when returning home an invalid from the Mauritius, was wrecked on the 17th .luly, 183ti, in the tiarque * Doncaster,' on the reef L'Agulhas, "0 miles S.E. of the Cape of Good Hope, and perished with his wife and family of four children. 1833. rtOYAL SAPPERS AND MIXERS. S89 1833—1836. Inspection at Chatham by Lord Ilill — Ponioon experiments — Withdrawal of companies from the ports — Heducticm of tlie corps, and reorganization of the companies — Recall of companies from abroad -I'nrflcet — Trigonometrical survey of west coast of England — Draft to the Cape — Review at Cliathara by Lord Hill — Motto to the corps — Reinforcement to the Mauritius — Inspec- tion at Woolwich by Sir Fredericli Mulcaster — Mortality from eliolera; serviees of corporals Hopkins and Ritehley — Entertainment to the detach- ment at tlie Mauritius by Sir William Nicolay — Triangulation of tlie west coast of Scotland — Kaffir war — Appointments of ten foiemen of works — Death of (Quartermaster Galloway — Succeeded by sergeant-major Hilton — Sergeant Eorbes — Notice of his father — Lieutenant Dashwood — Euphrates expedition — Labours of the party — Sergeant Sira- Generosity of Colonel (Micsuey, R. A. —Additional smiths to the expedition — Loss of the 'Tigris' steamer — Descent of tlie Euphrates -Sappers with the expedition employed as engineers — Corporal Greenliill — Approbation of the services of the party — Triangulation of west coast of Scotland — Addiscombe — Expedition to Spain— Character of the detachment that accompanied it — Passages ; action in front of San Sebastian — Reinforcement to Spain — Final trial of Pontoons — Mission to Constantinople. TllK corps at Chatliarn, consisting of two companies and a (letacluncnt, were inspected by Lord Hill, the ( !ouimander-in- ('liief, on the 16th August, 1833, and his Lordship was jilcased to express his ajtprohation of their efficiency and a])pearance. ( )n tiie 20th of the same month, some experimental practice was carried on with Major Blansliard's cylindrical juintoons on the canal in the royal arsenal at Woolwich, in the presence of Lieutenant-( General Sir .lames Kempt, the Master-General. In these trials two non-commissioned officers i.nd twenty-four privates from Ciiatham assisted, and their activity and energy elicited the thanks of the inventor and the commendation of the Ma.y companies were ctmiposed of the following ranks and numbers : — TheCoi-fiiCompaiiy, iLiiil'i by the loniuii (ioveni-l nKiit.wusunchuii(tcil in / 1 its estalilislimcnt, am! I C0\18l»ll'd lit'. . . . ' rolour- flt-r- Cur- filltl (m'IhthI MTi^ntnl nr.inw. pv tweiity-IWo years, was discharged in Oetoher, IS.'t'l, and pensioned at 2s. 8ji/. a-day, having ooniplcled a service of more than forty years. One of his sons, l\)rmerly in the corps, is foreman of works at Alderney, and another, Umll recently, was clerk of works in the royal engineer department, I-ondon district. 1834. i HOYAL SAPl'ERS AND MINKliS. 291 The distribution of tlie companies was fixed as follows : — Conipiiiiiod. Woolwich ....;) Ohatlmiii 1 Survey 3 Gibraltar 1 Corfu 1 Hermiula 1 Halifax 1 ('ape of Godil Hope . . ^ Mauritius . . . . ^ Total . 12 The companies at Barbadoes and Quebec, and tlie second companies at Gil)raltar and Bernmda, were recalled and incor- porated with the newly-constructed coiupairu's, or reduced as the circumstances of the service reciuired. The reduction was a ]irogrcssive measure, and not finally (illected till the (3th November, 1834. A party of six rank and file was sent in January to Purfleet ; and a like number continued for more than twenty years to be employed there in carrying on the current rejjairs to the depart- mental property with advantage to the public service. In May, sergeant George Darbyshire and five rank and file were detached under Ca])tain Henderson, of the engineeiv, on the trigonometrical survey of tlu; west coast of England. Tlie operations embraced the triangulation of the Lancashire and ( 'uinberlaiid cuasts with the Isle of ^lan, and ])art of the coast of HcoIImiiiI. 'I'lie sergeant and one of the ])riv;ites were employed n^ ol)S((rvers ; the remainder assisted in the erection of objects for observation, stages, I'ie., and attended to the duties of the camp. The Jiarty quitted the mountains in October and rejoined their several companies. Ill the same month, at the Cape of Good Hope, the detach- ment was augmented to half a company of forty-eiglit of all ranks. Tlu; necessity for this addition had l)een repeatedly represented by the I'ominanding royal engineer at the .-taticm. Si'arcely a bricklayer or mason could be found in the colony who had served an apprenticeship : and those who professed these trades were not only unskilful and indolent, but generally drunken and dis.sipated. It therefore became an object of v2 IIIST(,I{Y (»K TIIH '183-1. much importance to iIl(■^■,•l^^c tlio wi])])crs at the ("ape to a number sutficieiit to meet tlie ( xijreucies of the service. On the 3rcl June a company and detachment of the corps were reviewed at Chatham with tlie troo])s in jrarrison l)y Lord Hill, who cxpre.-sed his a])])rol)ati()n of the soldier-like appear- ance and elfcctive state of the s ippers. His IMajesty, in July, 1>S.')2, ordered tlie motto " Ubiquo quo fas et ^doria ducunt "" to he home on tlie appointments of the corps, in addition to the Royal Arms and Supporters ; and this year tlie cap-plates and hreast-jtlates were made to accord with the King^'s command. The cap-lines or cords and tassels IssucmI in 1830 were aholishcd this year, and the statf-ser- jjreants were permitted to wear, ii, stead of the forage-cap, a silk oilskin chaco of the same size ant. shape as the regimental chaco. In July a reinforcement of fifteen rank and tile landed at the Mauritius from the ' ValleyfieLl' freightshi[), increasing the detachment to a half company ( f forty-tive strong. On the U)th August the three companies and detachment at Woolwich were inspected by IMajor-Gtmeral Sir I'Vederic Mulcaster, the Inspector-General of Fortifications, and the per- fect siitisfaction he felt at what he witnessed was made the subject of a general order to the corps. For four years the cholera had been ])revalent in many parts of Great Britain and the colonies, but owing to the admirable precautions adopted, the disease was not only less formidable, but much less fatal among the military than the civil popula- tion. In the royal .sappers and miners the numbers seized with the malady were comparatively insignificant ; and during this period, though tlie disease had visited most of the stations where companies of the corps were (juartered, the fatal cases only amounted to sixteen men, five women, and four children. Those cases occurred at the following stations : — Serg. I'riv. Worn. Child. Quebec, in July and September, 1832 .. .. Portsmouth, August, Is.l.l I I 2 Gibraltar, July, 18;i4 1 3 3 3 Ilalil'ax, N.S., in /Vugust and September, 1834 • .. 7 •• ., At Portsmouth ten men were admitted into hospital with the disease. The company was consctpiently removed to Soutlisea 1835.] IloYAI, S.vri'KUS AND MINKliS. ^03 Castle and the cholera disappeared. At Cjihraltar tliirty-oiie men were admitted, anil tlie deaths were few in ])ni]t(irtl()n to the loss of some reijinients in parrison, the 50tii rciiiiiient liavinjr lost nearly fifty men. ( )f the military at the fortress al)out 140 died of eliolera, hut the civilians counted 470 fatal cases. Durinj,' the rajrinff of the disease, corporal John Hopkins and lance-cor|)oral NViliiam IJitchley were conspicuous for their zeal and attention to the sick. Their duties were at- tended with considerable personal risk ; and to the valuable assistance they rendered to the men in the early stajzes of the attack, both by their cheerful exertions and judgment, is attri- buted the rapid recovery of many of those who were sent to the hospital ( Corporal llojjkins was promoted to tlie rank of scrjreaut in eouse(pieuce. At Halifax, Dr. M'Douald of the; ordnance medical department, f^ained much credit for his inde- fatigable attention to his numerous j)atiei)ts, twenty-six of whom recovered under his skilful treatment ; and his grejit success in so many cases was lauded botli by the medical chief of his own department, and the ^laster-CIeneral. In December the foundation stone of the citadel of La. Petite IMoutagnc, ^Mauritius, was laid by ^lajor-General Sir William Nicolay, the governor of the colony, with all the parade and cerenu)ny usual on such occasions. Tiie company was present, and private William Reynolds, the most skilful mason in the detachment, had the honour of assisting his Kxcellency in the deposition of the stone. In the evening of the same day to commemorate the event, the detachment with their wives and families jjartook of a sumptuous supj)er generously furnished by his Excellency. From June to October, sergeant George Darbyshire and five men were employed under Captain Henderson, R.E., in the triangulation of tiie west coast of Scotland, and were encam])ed during the operations on the mountains. At the Cajjc of Good Hope the incursions of the Kaffirs brought on a desultory war this year, and the detachment of the corps in the colony was scattered in small parties over the frontier. Though nnidi employed with the advanced forces in superintending the construction of redoubts and other indis- S04 IIIS'I'OHY OF Till", fi83r). pciisuble defciisivo work;*, tlicy wore mniT called upon to take any particular part in attackiuy the enemy. Tlu; niarcliiny to which they were subjected, throufrh a coinitry of husli and mountain, was severe, and ex])osed under canvas or in liivouae to every variation of the climate, they shared all the trials and sufferinfrs incident to the troops. Sir llussey Vivian, the Blaster-General, entertained so favourable an opinion of the corps, that he felt it right, on the Gth October, to order increased encouragement to be given to non-commissioned officers of jn-oper attainments and merits, by apjjointiug them occasionally t(» l)c forenuni of works in the royal engineer department. 'J'lie first appointed under this order was sergeant Henry French,- and at distant intervals tlie follow- ing non-commissioned officers were promoted to that rank — viz., sergeants Nicolas Markey,'' William Spry,^ John Wood,'' ' Had sfwud uiiwarils of twenty-two years in llic corps ; and was a shrewd man and a skilfnl carpenter and overseer, lie was a])p(iinted iuOct(jl)er, IS.'iti, to Guernsey, where he died in February, isri4. Jlis eldest son, a very pro- mising young man, is now foreman of works in the department at the Tower. " .Toined the corps a lad, and by jK'rseveranee made himself compelcnt for higher duty. To smartness in person he united much nctirity of body, and in September, 1843, was advanced to the civil branch, first to Corfu and then to Gibraltar; where, in tlie excess of his zial on the works, he fell from his horse by a stroke of the sun, and sustained an injury in the liead. He is now at Dublin, a lunatic, passing away his life on a retirement of :W, a-ycar. He served seventeen years in the sappers. ♦ Was an excellent mason and very efficient as a foreman. He had been on a mission to Constantinople, and received from Sultan Mahmoud H. a gold medal for his services. After a service of twenty-one years in the corps, he was, in June, 1844, appointed to Gibraltar, where he fell into habits of exces- sive intemperance and committed suicide in 1852. ' As master mason at Vido he constructed the works witli remarkable ability. He also superintended the erection of the half-moon battery in the citadel and the defensive buildings at Fort Neuf. Colonel Hassard said, on his lea\injr, that he hardly expected a man of ecpial talent to fill liis place: and it may be observed that he could speak with lUiency the different languages of the civil workmen at Corfu, liy Colonel Hassard he was recommended to visit Ijome and other places for artistic improvement, l)ut the usages of the service did not permit the concession of this favour. In 18.i7 he finished the erection of the Longona cistern at Paxo, which relieved the inhabitants from the necessity of taking long journeys to procure supplies. The work was very creditable to him, aiul gained for him the eulogy and good will of the whole islaiul. To commemorate its completion a procession of the functionaries and I'litc of Paxo took place, and Wood, the great obje-;t of attraction, was warmly greeted by the grateful popidace. He became forcmad of works in November, 1844. first at I 1835. 1 ItoVAl, SAI'I'I'/iS AND MINKKS. 295 Willliiin .Tap. '/ ■/A HiDtographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. USSO (716)872-4503 ^. ■^ •^ 4r M.^ h ^. <^ w^ 296 HISTORY OF THE [1835. Quartermaster James Galloway died on the 9th November at Welksley House, Shooters' Hill, after an active service of forty-five years, which he performed with a faithfulness amount- ing to devotion. Few officers in the army in passing from the ranks to a commission, gained higher respect than he did, and in his death few were more regretted or more honoured. Sergeant-major James Hilton succeeded to the vacancy — a distinction he merited by his long services, uniform zeal, and soldier-like qualities. He was presented on the occiision by the officers of royal engineers at Woolwich with a sword, and a grant was made to him of 201. to assist him in his outfit Sergeant James Forbes was promoted to be sergeant-major by Sir Hussey Vivian as a reward for his services. For six years he had been employed, during every spring and autumn, at the royal military college at Sandhurst, in the instruction of the gentlemen cadets, and returned to his corps on every occasion with fresh claims to approbation. Every season at the college was marked by his effecting some improvement in the course and in rendering some new and essential service to the institution. Among many minor subjects necessary to complete the experimental course, he introduced the use of various me- chanical ex])edients in connexion with pur[)oses of military science, and the construction of military bridges of diffijrent kinds, from the rudest adaptations of rough timber and wicker work to the finished formation of a pontoon bridge.'* Observing his indefatigable exertions in carrying out his professional duties at the institution, Sir George Scovell, the Lieutenant- Governor, was induced to say, that " sergeant Forbes had laid the college under great obligations to himself and the admirable corps to which he belonged ;" and in acknowledg- ment of that obligation. Sir Edward Paget, the Governor, presented him with a valuable case of drawing instruments. of Good Hope, where he had served for many yeans. The rccuilection of his usefulness at Natal, and in other districts of the frontier, led to his being ap- pointed civil foreman of works in that colony. In 1842, Deary fought in the actions against the insurgent Boers at Natal. " ' United Service Journal,' iii. 1834, p. 561, and ii. 1835, p. 27", 278. 1836.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MIXERS. m Subsequently he had the high honour of being admitted to an audience with liis Majesty, William IV. ;" in which interview the King graciously commended his conduct, ability, and zeal. Soon afterwards the Master-General, who frequently wrote in eulogistic terms of his services, j)romoted him from the rank of sergeant to be sergeant-major.'* In December, Lieutenant Robert Dashwood, R.E., was ajj- pointed acting-adjutant at head quarters, to assist the brigade- major in the office and parade duties. This was the first appoint- ment of tht kinc. in the corps at Woolwich. Smart, strict in discipline, and exact in the performance of du^y, he promised to advance the sappers to the high development attiiined in well-disciplined regiments, but his ciircer of usefulness was suddenly cut short by disease of the heart, of which he died on the 21st September, 1839.'^ In the summer of 1834 an expedition under the command of '^olonel Chesney was projected, to ascertain the practicability of the Euphrates for opening a route by steam navigation to India. A detachment of the royal artillery and five men of the corps were appointed to it. One, sergeant Thomas Sim, was a surveyor, and the rest were smiths, and their qualifications in steam machinery, surveying, and drawing, had ])articular reference to the wants of the enterprise, ^^'llen selected their names were submitted to the King.'" For their military dress was substituted a plain blue suit, consisting of a slouched cap, frock coat with gilt buttons, and loose trousers, as more suitable '» Forbes's Pamphlet, ' National Defjnccs,' 1852. " The father of the sergeant-niujor, who also held that rank in the corps, died of fever at Walcheren in 1801), and, as soon as his son was old enough, he was enlisted into the sappers. Ills age on joining was only eight years ! For a few years he was statloiied at Dover, but the chi" of his career was passed at Chatham, where, under Sir Charles Pasley, he re eived that instruction in field fortification and drawing which made his services at Sandhurst so import- ant and successful. Here it should also be noticed thaf he kept his detach- ments in the best order ; and by their steadiness and willing exertions, they earned for themselves a character which has greatly raised the corps in public estimation. " The names of the succeeding acting-adjutants at Woolwich will be found in the Appendix III. " Chesney's ' Expedition to the liluphrateg,' Pref. x. HISTORY OF THE [1835. to the climate of the Eiist. The beard and moustache after the oriental fashion were also worn. In September the ]iarty was sent to the factory of Messrs. Laird and (Jo., at Birkenhead ; and after receiving instructions in riveting and the management of steam engines, sailed on the 10th February, 1835, for Syria. Three of the iiarty only landed ; the other two having, by some mismanagement, re- turned to England from Malta. From the mouth of the Orontes to Bir, a distance of 145 miles, the three sjippei-s, as well as the other soldiers and seamen, were employed in trans- porting the materials for the construction and armament of two steamers, across a country of varied and difficult features, intersected by a lake and two rapid rivers. Boilers of great weight were forced up hills, inch by inch, by means of screw- jacks ; and through the unflagging exertions of officers and men, and their patient endurance of sutlering and fatigue, was ac- complished " one of till' most gigantic operations of modern times."" While these arduous labours were in operation, two of the three sappers died — sergeant Sim and lance-corporal Samuel Gidens. For the most part, the sergeant had been employed with Lieutenant 3[urphy, ll.E., or alone, in surveying the country from I^atakia to the Gulf of Scanderoon ; and in which, from his previous knowledge and experience, he was found of great use ; but while prosecuting this duty, he fre- quently slept on the sfmds or in open boats, and thus contracted a disease no skill could eradicate. When surveying on Beilan mountain he suffered much from the keen and penetrating wind to which he was exposed, and was removed to Antioch for the benefit of his health. A slight improvement urged him to the field again ; but at Suedia, being thrown from a horse and much injured, he was again sent in a litter to Antioch, where he breathed his hist on the 19th Sejrtember, 1835. The corporal died at Fort William on the 3rd August. Up to the date of iiis illness he worked most diligently ; and to mark the sense entertained of his services, a gratuity of 100?. ''" Chusncy's ' Observations on Fire-arms,' p. 197. 1836.] ROYAL HAPrEHS AND MINERS. 29!) was granted by the Treasury to his bereaved family on the recommendation of Colonel (Jhesney, to wl.ose honour it should be recorded that out of his own purse, he liberally .sujjported the widow and her children, until the award was made by the Government. Feeling the want of the two smiths who had been sent home from Malta, Colonel Chcsney applied to have them re-attaciied to the expedition. His wish was at once acceded to, and witii them sailed two other privates, on the 3rd January, 1836, for Syria. Arriving at Malta, they were pjisscd on with all dis- patch in the 'Columbia' sloop of war, and reached Antioch late in February, in time to take part in the final pre])arations for floating the steamers. This reinforcement of " promising men, brought the party," so the Colonel writes, " to efficiency once more," and on the IGtli March the descent of tlio river was commenced. There were now five sap])ers with the expedition — one surveyor, and four blacksmitlis and millwrights, including corporal ^Villiam Black, all valuable as artificer and engi- neers. Three were allotted to the ' Euphrates ' steamer, and two to the ' Tigris.' Civil engineers were also attached to each vessel, to whom the sa])per smiths acted as subordinates, and were styled assistant engineers. On the 21st May a calamity occirred which deprived the expedition of nearly one half of its force. The steamers were descending the river with success, when they were overtaken by a hurricane of indescribable violence which jjlaced both vessels in imminent peril. The storm raged only eight minutes, but during those fearful moments the 'Tigris,' caugh* up in its furious vortex, was engulfed with twenty of its officers and men. Corporal Benjamin Fisher and private Archibjdd McDonald of the sapj)ers were on board : the former was dashed on siiore and saved, the latter perished ; but his comrades had the satis- faction of recovering and interring his remains on the banks of the stream, near Anna. The descent of the " Great River " was accomplished by reaching its junction with the ' Tigris' at Kurnah, on the 18th June, 1836, and seventy-two guns having been fired the next 30O HISTORY OF THE [183C. day in honour of His Majesty William IV., the steamer crossed the Persian Gulf to Bushirc, to mec't expected supplies from Bombay. After three months' delay at the former port refitting the vessel and com})letiug the engines with the assistance of the sappers, and a fresh crew having been obtained from the Indian navy, the steamer re-crossed the Persian Gulf, and the ascent of the river commenced. The chief engineer having died the first day of the ascent, the engines were entrusted tt) the sole management of cor- |)oral Fisher, who continued to perform this duty most sitis- factorily up to the termination of the service. Corporal Black was the senior non-commissioned officer of the party, but his health had previously become so much impaired that he was sent from Bussora to Bombay for its recovery. Of this non- commissioned officer Colonel Chesney wrote, that " both as a soldier and a man, in every way, he does credit to his corps." With the highest testimonials the party rejoined the corps at W^oolwich in May, 1837."* As engineers they had been found of the greatest service to the expedition ; and for the skilfulness and efficiency with whiJi the engines were worked, the Govern- ment divided the engineers' pay among them for the period they were so employed in the following projwrtions : — corporal Black 13^. ; lance-corporal B. Fisher l\)l. ; lance-coq)oral T. Edrington 21?. Lance-corporal William Greenhill was attached to Lieu- tenant Murphy, R.E., and his duties were those which arose out of surveying and astronomy. Li the whole of the survey of the two rivers and the countries adjacent to their banks, he took an important part, and after the death of that officer was employed on the line of levels between the two rivers, with reference to a canal of intercommunication for commercial j)ur- poses. Caj)tain Estcourt, 43rd regiment, the second in com- mand, in writing of this non-commissioned officer, says : " A " On the completion of the service, the expedition was favoured with a few days' location at Damascus, where the party removed their beards and mous- taches, and for the first time since the commencement of the enterprise, had the advantage of attending church for religious worship. I83C. ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 301 inoro willing, honest, active man does not exist, and he is sober and trustworthy in the highest degree." " All," writes the same officer, " are valuable men, and capable of rendering important services wherever they may he employed." The approbation of the commissioners for the affairs of India was accompanied with the following gratuities : — to corporal Black 39^., and to each of the other three non-commissioned officers 19^. 10». ; and further, Sir Ilussey Vivian, the Master- General ordered the promotion of corporal Black to the rank of sergeant, second-corporal Fisher to corporal ; " and lance- corporal ^^'illiam Greenhill to be second-corporal.^" In May the operations for the triangulation of the west coast of Scotland were resumed, for the third time, under Captain Henderson, R.E., by six non-commissioned officers and men of the corps, who were continued on the service till the early winter. They then returned to Woolwich with a good character for activity and exertion. At the request of the court of Directors of the East India Company, seven rank and file were employed at the seminary at Addiscombc, in throwing up field-works for the instruction of the gentlemen cadets, during the months of August, Sep- " Pensioned in May, 1843, and appointed assistant lighthonse keeper at Earopa Point, Gibraltar, under the Trinity Hoard of London. *" Greenhill was an intelligent man, pleasantly eccentric, and fond of anti- quities. While with the expedition he made a collection of silver coins of remote times, which, with laudable feelings of attachment to his native place, he presented to the Perth Museum. Hie hnir was as white as silver, but his beard, full and flowing, was as black os ebony. To the Arabs he was quite a phenomenon, but tlie singularity which made him so, did not save him, on one occasion, from being rudely seized by a horde of banditti, and plundered, with almost fabulous dexterity, of the gilt buttons on his frock coat. They had nearly finished their work, when Greenhill tore himself from (heir grasp, but finding that a button still remained on the cuff, he audaciously pulled off the frock and threw it at them. Suspecting that their work was incomplete the Arabs pounced on the coat, and tearing off the remaining button scampered away to the hills again. When, sonic years later, the Niger expedition was forming, Greenhill volunteered to accompany it. He had a notion that the service would be one of suffering and vicissitude, and the better to inure him- self to its contemplated hardships he submitted his body to rigorous experi- ments of exposure and self-denial, which, inducing erysipelas, caused his premature decease in October, 1840. 302 HISTORY OF THE [1836. tember, and October. The corporal in charge received 28. a-(lay working pay, and the privates Is. a-day, each. For the two succeeding terms, a similar party was provided for the seminary, and on each occasion received much credit for its services. After the third term it was found desirable to dis- continue the detachment, and the Addiscombo authorities drew the means of instruction from their own resources. By an order from Lord Palmerston, Lieutenant Edward Vicivrs, RE., and one sergeant and twelve rank and file, em- barked at Woolwich on the lOth July, in the ' Pluto,' steamer, and landed at San Sebastian on the 19th, taking with them a limited supply of field equipment and engineer stores. The party was attached to the royal marines, with the British naval forces under the command of Lord John Hay, and was intended to take part in any operations deemed necessary to defend the Queen of Spain against the adherents of Don Carlos. All the men were volunteers, fully capable of constructing field-works and military bridges, and qualified, also to direct and take charge of working parties. The major part of the detachment were men of notoriously bad character, appointed to the service to afford them a chance of reclaiming themselves ; but their arrival in Spain was soon marked by those habits of turbulence and dissipation which rendered them a burden at home. ^Vithout zeal, spirit, or subordination, they were found almost useless on the works, and to such a pitch was their misconduct carried, that Lieu- tenant Vicars contemplated dispensing with their services as sappers and miners. By the removal, however, of a few of the grossest offenders, the punishment of others by the navy, and the infusion of a better class of men among them from England, the inevitable disgrace of the corps was prevented ; and eventually, with few trifling exceptions, the detachment established a character for discipline, good conduct, and use- fulness. On landing, the party was removed to t'.ie eastern heights of Passages to complete works for the protectii n of the shipping in the harbour. Here the royal marines Wv.re employed for 1836.J ROYAL SAPPEUS AND MINKRS. aoe a time, as also a force of about 200 of the auxiliary lej^ion. Late in September, a few of tlic jjarty assisted in throwinij; uj) a work for the defence of a bridge leading into San Sebastian, and secured the position h'jld by the force on the left of Pas&jijjea. It was now understood that the Carlists intended to attack General Evans : a redoubt was forthwith constructed on a com- mandinjT hill in front of the enemy, and a battery for four guns and some breastworks were thrown up on the extreme left of the position. The legion furnished a working ])arty of 200 men for these operations. On the Ist October, the enemy attacked the lines in front of San Sebastian, directing their fire principally on the picket-house, near which the battery was progressing. Against this battery, also, another battalion was sent, and having taken it, the column j)ressed on to the walls of the station ; but the party within reniaint>d firm, and the Carlists were ultimately driven from the contest with the loss of 1,200 in killed and wounded. In this action were present four sappers, one of whom was wounded. On the 31st October, the detachment in Spain was increased to twenty-five non-commissioned officers and men, by the arrival of twelve rank and file from Woolwich, in the ' Rhadamanthus ' steamer, who were at once disposed of between San Sebastian and Passages, and assisted in the completion of the fort and barracks at the latter. Experiments with the pontoons of Colonel Pasley and Major Blanshard, took place at Chatham on the 1st July. Sir llussey Vivian, the Mastcr-CJeneral, wns present. For a few yea* j)re- vionsly, a ])ortion of the sunnuer of every year had been past in practically testing the projects of rival competitors for the passage of rivers ; but on this occasion the trial ended in fiivour of the cylindrical pontoon of Major Blanshard. In all these trials a detachment of the corps was employed, and in this, the last experiment, executed under the disadvantage of extreme heat, (Jolonel Pasley warmly praised the party for its zeal and activity in working the two bridges. With the mission to Turkey under the command of Captain du Plat, R.E., were embarked on the 15th September, two 304 IIISTOUY OF THE [1836. lance-sergeants of the corps on board the 'Astrea,' which entered the port of (^nstantinople on the 31st October. One was a surveyor conversant with the managen^ent of surveying instruments, and the other skilled in the details of the duties connected with the system of instruction carried out at Chat- ham. The mission took stores as presents to the Sultan. A sergeant of the royal artillery and a civil mechanic from the royal arsenal with Lieutenant Knowles, R.A., accompanied it. At the time of its arrival the plague was prevalent, and under orders from Ilis Majesty's ambassador at the Porte, the mission passed a few months in the ' Volage ' and ' Carysfort,' lying in the Bosphorus. When the plague abated, the presents wore conveyed to the Sultan — Mahmoud II. ; and his Highness as a token of satisfaction presented each officer and soldier with a gold medal,- and the artizan with a gold snuff-box. The non- commissioned officers of sappers who had the honour of receiving the distinction, were William Spry and William Richardson. Each medal bore a gold clasj), upon which was inscribed the name of the recipient and that of the Sultan. During their service with the mission each recfMved Is. Gd. a-day working pay, and on arrival in England in April, 1838, a gratiiity of 10^, Ift37.] ROYAL SAPPKHS AND MIM:HS. 305 1H37. Change in the dre«B — Increase of non-commissioned officers— Services of the detachment at Ametza (laiia — Oriunu-ndi — Desierto convent on tlie Nerviou - Fucntarabia — Oyarznn— \indoin — Miscellaneons employments of the de- tachment— Trigonometrical survey west coast of Scothind — Inspection at Woolwich by Lord Hill and Sir Iliissey Vivian — Staff' appointments — Lalmurs of sergeant Lanyon — Stall-siTgeants' accoutrements— iCxpedition to New Holland — Corporal Coles selected as the man Friday of his chief — Ex- ploration from lligli Hluff' Point to Hanover Kay; difficulties and trials of the trip; great thirst — Kxertions and critical situation of Coles— His coura- geous bearing — Touching instance of devotion to his chief— Employments of the party — Exploration into the interior with Coles and private' Mustard — Hardships in its prosecution — Threatened attack of the natives ; return to the camp. This year the oolour of the coatee was changed from red to scarlet — Plate XV\, and the Inijje Kilmarnock woven caj) was superseded by a neat superfine blue cloth cap, stiffened, with peak and cliin-strap. The sergeants were distinguished by black oak-leaf bands and gilt ornaments, comprising a grenade, encircled by a laurel wreath, and surmoimted by a crown and three chevrons. The other non-commissioned officers wore chevrons according to their ranks. The oil-skin chaco of the staff-sergeants was put aside for a forage-cap, with a guld oak- leaf band and gilt omamerts of a crown within a laurel-leaf. By a royal warrant dated 24th April, an increase of one sergeant, one corporal, and one second corporal was made to each company by reducing five privates per company. Recourse to this expedient was necessary on account of the control of the companies being much diminished by the several detached duties upon which non-commissioned officers were employed, as well as a number being always required to take charge of the VOL. I. X 8M IIISTOHY OF TIIK [lfl37. workshops and workinji; puicios. The stronj^tli of each coin- piiny was now fixed at 1 eolonr-8erf,'eant, 3 serj^oants, 4 t'or])o- rnls, 4 8Cfond-cor])oraU, 2 huj^lers, 75 privates ; efjual H[) ; which, for 11 companies, pave an estahlishuient of tl77. Tlio Corfu company, paid hy the Ionian fjovemment, did not, from its weak numbers, participate in tl e alteration. Its streiifjth, therefore 62, with the 3 officers and ..on-commissioned officers of the staff, made the total establishment of the corps sanc- tioned by the warra;it reach the total of 1,048. 'i'hc nund)cr reduced was* 22 privates. In the early months of the year the detachment in Spain was employed on the eastern heights of Passages in superintending the complnt'ion of the fort and barracks, and also on the island of Santa (Jlara in making platforms and repairing batteries. On the 10th March, seventeen of the party were ])rcsent in the attack on Ametza Gafia, and were subsequently employed in strengthening the redoubt previously occupied by the Carlists on that position. In the action at Oriamendi on the 15th and IGth March, they also served. Ten of the number assisted in levelling the enemy's parapets and destroying their barricades and works. The other seven, under Lieutenant Burmester, ll.E., did duty with the royal artillery commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Col- quhoun. Their help, readily afforded at a time when it was of much value, enabled a third gun to be brought into action ; and in cutting fuzes and loading shells, &c., they were found but little inferior to experienced artillerymen. Lord John Hay complimented Lieutenant Vicars upon the good service of this detachment ; and the officers of the royal and marine artillery were loud in their praises of the exertions of the sappers, and of the efficiency of their assistance at the guns. One private was wounded. A brief interval of repose followed, in which the detachment was occupied in fortifying the eastern entrance of Passages, also in barricading the advanced picket-house near that point, and in completing the batteries on Santa Clara. Four men were likewise detached to the river Nervion, and, with the 1837.] UOVAL 8APPKI1S AND MINERS. 307 crews of the ' Scylla ' and • Savapc,' restored the works of the Desierto convent wliich protected the communication with llilbao. On the return of tlie men, the commander of the ' Savape ' brif? spoke most favourably of their conduct. In the operations of the army under Espartero on tlio 14th May, fifteen of the detachment were present and assisted in working the guns of the royal artillery. On the 17th they embarked to act in an attack on Fuentarabia, and were jjresent at its capitulation on the llSth May. Here the detaclnm nt restored one c*" tie ruined bastions of the fortress, and, In'sides making embrasures for two heavy guns, cleared away the debris from (itLcr parts of the defences and placed them in temporary repair. At Oyarzun the Carlists were in the habit of creeping up to the town and annoying the troops. To prevent this, the bill above was crowned with a square redoubt for two ginis. Ten of the detachment superintended its construction, and the work was executed in so excellent a manner, that experienced officers spoke of it with imqualified satisfaction. The working party consisted of peasants who were skilful in the construction of earth-works, and zealous in the use of the spade and pickaxe. At the solicitation of General O'Donnell of the Spanish service, nineteen of the sappers, under the connnand of Lieutenant Vicars, were attached to his force. The party reached Aindoin on the 11 til September, and were set to work with a compjiny of Gastadores under them, on a height on the extreme left of the position. Very rapidly, a large hedge surrounding the height was turned into a j)arapet ; and in places where it was too high to cut down, loopholes were formed. A dense wood that joined the hedge was partly felled, and from its ample re- sources abattis were thrown oat in front of the line of hedge. For three days the work progressed ; at intervals under heavy rain ; and on the 13th September a formidable work of more than half a mile in length was ready to obstruct the advance of the enemy. At daylight on the 14th the Carlists opened fire on Aindoin, and the first shot went through the house where the sappers were quartered. At once they were withdrawn to x2 308 HISTORY OF THE [1837. the church, and ultimately removed to a circular fort to attend to orders either from Lord John Hay or General O'DonncU. Scarcely had they commenced the movement before the enemy approached the church with irresistible impetuosity, and drove the forces of O'Donnell from the town with signal disaster. The escape of the detachment of saj)pcrs was almost miraculous ; a few moments later would have thrown thorn wholly into the hands of the Carlists. During the later months of the year the detachment repaired Fort Morales, and the lines on the western heights of Passages. Tiiere also they fitted up barracks for the royal marines, and strengthened the advanced picket- house. Four of the men superintended a working party of the royal marines in com- pleting and arming the redoubts around San Sebastian, in which service much difficulty was experienced from the want of an adequate working party and materials. So impoverished were the stores, that to provide ])lanks and sleepers for the platforms and magazines, recourse was had to old splintered timbers from ruined sheds and buildings. Among other ser- vices performed by tlie detachment was the construction of a redoubt at Cachola on the high road from San Sebastian to Hernani, to protect that communication. On the 13th May, six rank and file were attached to Captain A. Henderson, R.E., and were employed for the fourth summer under his direction in the trigonometrical survey of the western coast of Scotland for the Admiralty. The nature of the opera- tions, as on former occasions, necessitated their encampment on the mountains ; and when the service closed in November, the party returned to Woolwich. Lord Hill and Sir Hussey Vivian, the Master-General, in- spected the seventh company and detachment of the coi-ps at ('hatham on the 15th June, and afterwards witnessed the siege operations carried on by the troops and sappers under Colonel Warre. At the steadiness of the latter on parade, and the able manner in which the siege details were executed, hia lordship expressed the highest gratification ; and Colonel Warre, in his public orders of 16th June, also eulogised the corps for the 1837.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 309 cheerful and indefatigable manner in which they had worked in the field, adding, " that the construction of the works did credit to their skill as engineer workmen, and their appearance to their discipline and efficiency as soldiers." Second-Captain Henry Sandham, R.E., by commission dated 1st August, was appointed adjutant to the corps at Chatham vice Captain Jebb promoted. The latter had filled the office with much advantage to the public service ; and his many excellent qualities, as evinced in the discharge of his duties, commanded the esteem of the corps, and caused him to be much regretted at his leaving. Sergeant Hugh L lyon, after Sergeant-major Forbcs's re- moval, was appointed to the charge of the detachment at Sand- hurst College, and carried on the field details in every way to the satisfaction of the authorities. For many years, as a private and non-commissioned officer, he worked at the college, and his example had the best effect on the successive parties with which he served. As a practical sapper he was one of the ablest and most skilful in the corps, and in the rapidity with whicl; he threw up earth-works was unsurpassed. Sir Cliarles Pasley has done him honour by noticing the extraordinary labours of the sergeant in his ' Practical Operations for a Siege.' ' His wil- ' Pages 51 and 57, notes, 1st part, 2nii edit. It may be tolerated to mention tlie instances in which Lanyon figured, to deserve the record. In Octolier, 1828, he finished a parallel in very easy soil of 2(12 cubic feet in 2 hours and 41 minutes, whilst an able-bodied sapper, unskilful at the pickaxe and the sbovol, only completeil the sanu! content of excavation in 8 hours and 4 mil .-s ! Thirty men were employed at the same time at similar tasks, the result of whose labours showei' that for each man, strong; and trained, it required to execute the work an average period of 4 hours and 54 minutes. The other instance refers to his. completing the first task of a parallel, nearly 10!) cubic feet, in easy soil in \u minutes. In the Peninsula sieges, no more than 42 cubic feet of excavation ujipears to have been excavated by each imliviilual of tlie military working parties as his first night's vork ; but at the rate which rendered lyaryon celebrated, an active workman in these sieges ought to have finished his first night's task in seven minutes ! The comparison niiikes the difference so excessive, that creilulity has scarcely sullicient tension to accredit it; but coming from an authority so proverbial for his accuracy, there is no alternative hut to wonder at the achievements of the man who so signalized himself as a sapper; and to add, with the Colonel, the expression of mortifica- tion, "that the exertituis of the British army should have fallen so miserably short o" 'heir hiilliant exploits in the field." 310 HISTORY OF TUE [1837. Iingiiess and ability in this respect, covered, in great measure, his educational deficiencies. In charge of the detachment he displayed his usual industry and exertion, kept his men in per- fect discipline and order, and the excellent work resulting from their united efforts elicited an encomium in a popular periodical very creditable to the sergeant and his party.' Indeed, so effectually were all the instructional operations carried out, that the governor of the college, with the sanction of the Master- General, presented him in November with a case of drawing instruments, bearing an inscription flattering to his zeal and services.' Late in the year the shoulder-belt of the staff-sergeants was superseded by a buff waist-belt, two inches broad, having car- riages for the sword, with gilt plate, buckles, swivels, and hooks. The plate bore the royal arms — without supporters — within a wreath, with the motto "Ubique" at its base, and above, a crown. The sword was the same as issued in 1824, and as at present worn, but adapted by rings to be slung to the improved accoutrement. — See Plate XVI., 1854. Under orders fi-om Lord Glenelg, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, corporals John Coles and Richard Auger were attached to the New Holland expedition under Captain Grey, the object of which was to gain information as to the real state of the interior and its resources. On the 5th July, 1837, they sailed in the ' Beagle ' from Plymouth, and at the Cape of Good Hope were removed into the ' Lynher ' schooner. There, « 'Uuited Service Journal,' ii. IS.I?, p. 27U. ' Lanyon was afterwards promoted to be a colour-sergeant, and passed a few years in Canada during tlie revolt. On his return, his health, shattered by the exertions of his laborious life, caused him to leave the corps. Obtaining a situation as surveyor on the Trent and Mersey canal under Mr. Foibes, his former fellow labourer, he devoted himself to his new duties with his accus- tonieit zeal : t)Ut in a few short months his powerful frame broke up, and he died at Lawton in Cheshire, in June, 1840. The integrity of his conduct and the utility of his services induced the directors of the company to honour his remains by the erection of a tomb to his memory. Here it would be proper to notice, he was one cf those brave and humane miners who, in the 'Cambria,' bound for Vera Cruz, assisted to rescue the crew and passengers from the burning ' Kent' Kast Indiaman, in the Hay of Hiseay, in Kebruary, 182.'j. The soids saved were 55 1 , including 3U 1 officers and men, iXi w omen, and 45 children of the 31st regiment. 1837.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 311 private Robert Mustard joined the party, and all reached Hanover Bay, \Vestern Australia, on the 2nd December. Captain Grey had early formed a good opinion of corporal Coles and made him his chief subordinate.^ He was empha- tically his man Friday, and his conduct in striking instances of suffering and peril was marked by unfaltering devotion and fortitude, combined with diligence and humanity. Auger was 'jack of all trades ;' the mechanic and architect ; equally a tailor and a tinker ; the ready mender of boats, and the efficient millwright and armourer of the party. C)n the day of arrival the Captain landed with five persons and three dogs at High Bluff Point, to explore from thence to Hanover Bay. Coles w;d one of the number. The sun was intensely hot. A long confinement on shii)-board had made them unequal to much exertion. Forward, however, they journeyed, without the advant^ige of trees or foliage to screen them from the oun's burning rays. The country, too, was rocky ; and its surface, jagged and torn into crevices, being overgrown with spinifex and scrub, they frequently either slipped or fell into the covered fissures. Soon the party vas overcome by thiret and lassitude. Two pints of water was all that wiis brought from the ship, and this, shared with the panting dogs, left but little for the adventurers. As time wore on, their weariness, before excessive, became worse, and the dogs falling back ex- hausted, were never recovered. W ater was at length observed at the bottom of a ravine, and down its precipitous slopes Coles and others scrambled, only to mock the thirst they craved to satiate, for the inlet was salt water ! However, f.fter travelling for about another mile, fortune favoured theni with a pool of brackish water, from which they drank freely.^ WMiilst the party rested by the jiool, Captain Grey, accom- panied by (Jole:*, exjjlored tlu; ravine, and then returning, led the party into the country by a fertile valley surrounded by rocky hills. Not long after, the thirst and fatigue so dreaded l)(!fore, recurred in an aggravated form, and some were almost (•{(inplotely worn out by it. To march through the night witii- * ' Grey's Travels,' 1841, i. p. ;)j. '' Ihid., 1841, i. p. 07-71. 31S HISTORY OF THE [1837. out fresh water was next to impossible ; and as a last effort to obtain relief, the Captain pushed on for the coast, directing that when he fired, Mr. Lushington with the party should follow.' The arranged signals being given and answered, the party moved on. Corporal Coles wjis in the van, and forcing his way over broken rocks and down steep cliffs, he was the first to reach the Captain. At this spot he followed the example of his chief, and, plunging into the sea, refreshed his strength and appeased his thirst. Mr. Lushington and the sufferers now arrived, and, leaving them to try the effect of bathing, the Captain and his corporal moved along the coast to find the ' Lynhcr,' and send a boat to the party. About two miles they had journeyed when their progress was arrested by an arm of the sea, about 500 yards across. Coles kept firing his gun in hopes it might be heard on board. From hill to hill and cliff to cliff, its report re-echoed, but no answering sound came back. The Captain now resolved to swim the arm ; and as Coles was unskilful in the water, he was directed to wait until the others came up and remain with them until the Captain returned. The latter then plunged into the sea, and left Coles aione in that solitary spot with wild and rugged cliffs over- hanging the shore, and the haunts of savages in his vicinity.' After dark the flashes of the guns had been seen by the schooner, and a boat was instantly despatched for the jjarty. Coles was the first found ; but fearing, if he then availed him- self of the protection of the boat, he would lose the clue by which to trace the Captain, he directed the mate to pass on for the others. They were soon picked up, and returning for Coles, he wiis found at his post — one of danger and honour — and taken into the b(tat ivith his companions. The other shore was soon reached and tlio Captain found.** "Have you a little water?" he asked, as he entered the boat. "Plenty, sir!" answered Coles, handing him a little, which the Captain greedily swallowed. That choice drop of water was all that was in the boat when Coles was picked u]>. " 'fiix-y's Travi'ls,' 1841, i. p. 71-71. llii.l., i. p. 73-76. " Ilml-, i. p. 7!i. 1837.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 313 and although he suffered severely from thirst, he would not taste it as long as he retained any hope that his chief might be found and be in want of it.' For several days the sappers and others of the expedition were employed in searching for water, ttiking short exploratory tri])s, and in removing the live stock and stores from the 'Lynher' to the location fixed upon by Captain Grey. To facilitate the service, a rude pathway was formed by firing the bush, and removing, with much toil, the rocks and vegetation. So rough was the track that a wheelbarrow could not be used upon it, and every burden was, therefore, necessarily carried on the men's shoulders. By the 10th December, the country had been taken ])ossession of, and the encampment completed.'" On the following evening. Captain Grey with corporal Coles and private Mustard, started from the camp to penetrate some distance into the interior. Confident in the steadiness and courage of his men he felt no anxiety. Each carried ten days' provisions, a day's water, and his arms and ammunition. Thus laden, in a tropical climat?, their progress was slow and laborious. Their route lay through a region of romantic beauty. Now they were urging their course through deep ravines alive with the gush of water and the foaming of cascades : now threading their tiresome way through the devious forest with its i)rickly grasses and cnbingled bush. Again they wore climbing crumbling ranges, scrambling down precipices, tearing themselves through mangroves and densely- matt-"' vcgetfition. traversmg some wild broken land, or wornnng themselves among lofty and isolated columns of sand- stone mantled with fragi-ant creepers, which, like the remains of ruined temples of classic ages, afforded indubitable evidence of the ravag(*s of time upon rock and range. \\'lierever they journeyed, they found the same diaos — beautiful in its wildness and eccentricity — rich in its luxuriance and picturesqueness." Nearly six days were s{)cnt in this march, and the trials endured were only a prelude to what were to follow. Kice and " • (;iv)'s TravoU,' 1811, i. p. 7H. Ibid., i. p. Hi ill. " Ibid , i. p. 9.:l-|ii7, 314 HISTORY OF THE [1837, tea in small quantities formed the staple of their diet. An occasional slice from a pheasant's bretist, or a bite from the remains of a crane left by the rats, gave relish to their repast. The Captain was the game purveyor to the party and MusUird its Soyer. On the first night they slept in a bark hut of their own making at the foot of a towering precipice ; the second was passed under some overhanging rock& On the other three nights they bivouacked on the slopes of the glens under the lightning's vivid flash, exposed to the rains of violent thunder- storms. Early in the journey Mustard became ill, but he was soon sufficiently recovered to sustain the toils and privations of discovery and the discomfort of unsheltered sleep. Dripping wet, tired, weary and hungry, these brave men carried out the purposes of their mission, and, with unwavering faithfulness and zeal, penetrated wherever their chief desired. " Three of us," writes the Captain, " slept in the open air without any covering or warm clothes for five successive nights, during three of which we had constant showers of heavy rain, and yet did not in any way suffer from this exposure." "* AVant of food at length compelled t)ie adventurers to return. Having gained the summit of a range, the rain began to fall in torrents. To escape it they retired to a detached group of r^^' v j. A party of fourteen savages now appeared, brandishing their sj)ears, bounding from rock to rock, and making the wilderness ring with their war cry. This was answered by a party coming over the high rock in rear of the travellers. In this critical situation a hostile attitude was at once taken up. There was a natural opening like an embrasure between thr hlotks of the rock, through which they could level their pieces, and each gallant fellow took his station, with orders to fire one by one if the command were given. The Captain fired over their heads ; but this one report w.os quite enough, for the savages fled on all sides, and the party thus left to itself, hurried home through a tcjnpest of rain and reached the cantonment before nightfall on the 22iid December.'^ i-c> s Tiiivi 41, i. p. 248. '" Ibid,, i. p. 'J.'>-1()7. 1838.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. aid 1838. us, Services of party in New Holland — Start for the interior — Labours of the expedition ; corporal Auger — Captain Grey and corporal Coles expect an attack — Attitude of private Auger at the camp against the menace of the natives — Captain (Jrey and Coles attacked ; their critical situation ; the chief wounded ; devotion of Coles — Usefulness of Aager^ — Kenew the march ; Auger finds a singular ford — Discovers a cave with a sculptured face in it — Mustard traces the spoor of a quadruped still unseen in New Holland — A sleep in the trees — Trials of the party — Primitive washing — Auger the van of the adventurers — Humane attention of the Captain to Mustard ; reach Hauover Hay; arrive at the Mauritius — Detachment in Spain — Attack on Orio — Usurvil; Oyarzun — Miscellaneous employments of the party — Rein- forcement to it; Casa Aquirre — Orio— Secret mission to Munagorri — Second visit to the same chief — Notice of corporal John Down — Hidassoa — Triangu- lation of north of Scotland— Also of the Frith of the Clyde — Insurrection in Canada ; guard of honour to Lord Durham — Company inspected by the Governor-General on the plains of Ahrahir dri])ping suits on their backs, they ran about to prevent colds or rheumatic seizures, while the sun steamed off the moisture from their threadbare garments. Corporal Auger in these wanderings was the chief dependent. Uncompromising, he was straightforward in his duties ; enter- prising, he feared nothing. On most occiisions he was sent ahead of the party to pace the distance, to find the track through regions of country covered with rank grass more than fourteeii feet high, and to discover fords to assist the progress of the wayfarers and thus preveni depressing and harassing detours or returns. The moral courage of that man must indeed have been great, who was the first to penetrate a shrouded and unbroken stretch of solitude, unaware of the dangers in which his every step might suddenly have involved him. The expedition had now penetrated two rivers beyond the Glenelg and Prince Regent, ai.a then turned towards Hanover Bay. On 1st April they started, encountering difficulties of a character similar to those already borne with such cheerfulness and fortitude. Seven days of their journey found private Mustard crippled from falling into a crevice in the rock. Here I! 1838. J liOYAL SAITKIIS AND MINKHS. su the Captain, tliouph mifft'ring himaclf from the wound in his hip, yielded his horse for Mustard's convenience. On tiio 15th April, the party reached Hanover liay, havinj^ lost nearly all their live stock and fifteen of their jumies. A few tnore days were occupied in collecting the stores and shipping them, when the expedition sailed for the Isle of France and arrived on the 17th May. The three shippers were landed in a very sickly and emaciated state, and during their stay at the Mau- ritius were under medical treatment in hospital. On the 27th ,Ianuary, nineteen ntm-commissioncd officers and privates of the detachment serving with the naval force under the command of Lord John I lay at San Sehastian, were present with General O'Donnell's army in an attack on the village of Orio, and burnt and sank several flat-bottomed boats under the fire of musketry from the opposite side of the river. On the following day, at the request of the Spanish general, the same sjippers were despatched to Usurvil to intrench and fortify a large garden at the outskirts of the village. The work was instantly commenced ; but when the party was about to destroy the bridge which had been partially broken. General O'Donnell changed his intention and the sappers returned to San Sebastian. Shortly after, the detachment marched with the marine battalion to Oyarzun to cover the operations of General G Donnell at Bera. About this period the available men of the party fitted up the ' Columbia ' steamer for the accommodation of troops, and a storehouse for the use of the squadron. At Passages, also, the carpenters converted the church into a commissariat dep6t for stores and provisions, and strengthened and improved the fortifications around San Sebastian and the heights. All the works were cjirried out with difficulty ; for the Spanish autho- rities could scarcely command the use of a plank or even a nail for their purposes, and it was only by the force of habitual and urgent requisitions, that they could be induced to press for any materials for the service of the department. By the * Alonzo' transport a reinforcement of eleven rank and file arrived in May, increasing the detachment to thirty-one VOL. I. Y 322 HISTORY OF THE ri838. of all ranks. Late in the month, these men, with others of the party, were, at the recommendation of General O'Donnell, detached to Casa Aquirre on the left of Venta, to render it sufficiently defensive to receive the garrison of Astigaraga in the event of its heing compelled to retire. The working \yt'rty con- sisted of a company of the Spanish marine hatt.ilion of seventy soldiers and twenty peasants, and the position was completed with the necessary works by March, 1839. On the 24th June, twenty-five of the detachment moved with a part of the army to the river Orio, and, under fire, levelled the parapets and works of the (]!arlists. In October, four men of the party in plain clothes under orders of secrecy, accompanied C >lonel Colquhoun of the royal artillery, and Lieutenant Vicars of the engineers, to the head- quarters of Mufiagorri, to assist in putting him in motion and to secure his position. The mission reached Sara on the 17th, then passed to a hill to the east of La Rune mountain, about four miles from the village, where the chief was posted, and afterwards to St. Jean Pied de Port ; but owing to the opposition of Aquirre, the commandant of Valcarlos, who would not allow the pacificators to take up quarters in his neighbourhood, the expedition, unable from this cause to assist the Fuerist chief, returned to ScUi Sebastian on the 24th October. The same sappers, in plain clothes iis before," accomjianied the above-named officers on a second mission to Mufiagorri in November. The party reached St. Jean Pied dc; Port via " The senior i)f whom was second-corporal John Down, aftervunls sergeant. In Septcmtier, 1835, while pontconing in the MeJway at Hailing, he plunged into the river and saved from drowning, by means of an oar, private F. Adams '•* the corps. He also relieved from a very precarious situation lance-corporal Woodhead, of the Honourable East India Company's sappers, who had jumped in to assist private Adams. For his courage and humanity the lioyal Humane Society granted Down a pecuniaiy reward, and his officers gave Iiim a military hold-all, containing the usual articles, chiefly of silver, bearing on a silver plate this inscription — " Presented by his officers to private John Down for his gallant conduct in rescuing a comrade from drowning." This nou-commis- sioued officer served two stations at Gibraltar and Uernmda, and being pen- sioned at Is. Od. iu October, 1849, retired to Chatham, where be is now filling the humble but sufficient situation of puvnp-master to the Darracks at Mrompton. 1838.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINI'^RS, 323 Bayonnc on the 5th. Aquirrc, actinj^ under tlic orders of Esj)artoro, was firm in his resolution to resist the pacifi- cators in the occupation of Valcarlos ; and as lie would not yield a ])ass to the force of Mufiagorri, the i)roject of enter- injf Spain at Valcarlos was necessarily abandoned, and the expedition once more retraced its steps to San Sebastian, where it arrived on the IGth. LaU; in the same month, twelve men of the detachment were sent to the Bidassoa to fortify the position taken up by the Fnerist chief. A fatality attended all his movements and j)ro- jccts. St. Marcial had been fixed upon by him to establish his force there ; but before the operation could be effected, the Queen's troops under General O'Donnell were already in pos- session of it, and the approach of Mufiagorri was therefore interdicted. Another position, however, was soon selected near the Bidiissoa, and a redoubt forthwith commenced. Sixty })easan{s from San Sebastian and a small force from the ranks of the Fuerists formed the working party. The latter were indolent to the last degree, and even the presence of Mufiagorri and Jarregui failed to inspire them with the necessary energy. The saj)pers worked from morning till nightfall, and ofte.i remained on duty tlu! enlin; day, exj)osed the whole time to the drenching storm. All the works were marked out, and every det;vil for the defence was conducted by the sajiiiers xaider the direction of Lieuteuiiiit Vicars, and their zeal and ustful- n(!ss were nt'ticed in eonnneudatory terms. ^Vfter completing the defences, the party rejoiued Lord John Hay's force early in January, 1839. In May oi e sergeant and twelve privates were 'letached to the north of Scotland, and emi)loyed on the trigonometrical survey of that part of the (rountry until December under the direction of Lieutenant Robinson, royal engineers. This moun- tain detachment endured nmch fatigue in ciirrying out the service, and for their diligence and exertion in conducting the operation, received a high character. Six rank and tile were employed on a simihu- duty at tiie Frith of the Clyde under Ca|)tuin A. Henderson, R.Il., and Y t 324 HISTORY OF THE [1838. rejoined the corps on the 24th October. The men were selected on account of their physical strength, and were in every respect found equal to the arduous requirements of the service. The insurrection in the Canadas, headed hy Papincau, in- duced the Government to send a com])any to that colony. Captain Colin Mackenzie with one sergeant and thirty-seven rank and fil<> went out in the ' Hastings,' seventy-four, as a guard of honour to Lord Durham when his lordship was appointed Governor-General in Canada. Tiie remainder, three sergeants and forty-five rank and file, sailed in the steamer ' Dee.' The guard of honour landed at Quebec on the 29th May, and the ' Dee ' detachment on the 14*li June. A pro- portionate quantity of intrenching tools and engineer stores were landed with the company. At the celebration of Iler Majesty's coronp*'on on the plains of Abraham in June, 1838, the Earl of Du nam minutely in- spected the company, and in the presence of several general officers, noticed the steadiness with which the company marched past. Tliis expression the Governor-General repeated at the chateau of St. Louis on the 28th June, and added, tliat the soldier-like appearance of the sappers and their steadiness under arras exceeded his expectiitions. The good conduct of the company also elicited his lordship's approbation. While at Niagara, on the 11th S'.ptember, the company was reviewed by jVIajor-General Sir George Arthur, with the King's dragoon guards and 43rd regiment, and his Excellency spoke in praise of the appearance of the company, its marching and manoeuvring. Koon after, the head -quarters of the company were removed to the Niagara frontier to place it in a state of defence. The work of reparation commenced with Fort Mississaqua. About this time twelve non-commissioned officers and men were re- moved, for engineer services, to Amherstburg, and another party of twenty-two of all ranks was detached to Montreal. The latter was detained at Cornwall for a few days by Major Phill- potts of the corps, and, under Lieutenant Roberts, formed the 1838.] KOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 325 advanced guard with a detachment of the 71st light infantry, in a successful attack on the rebels at Bcauharnois on the 10th November, 1838. The good conduct of this party was acl.aow- ledgcd by Colonel Carmichael who commanded the attack. A novel duty now devolved upon the corps in the subaqueous destruction of the brig ' William,' sunk off Tilbury Fort in May, 1837, and the schooner ' Glenmorgan,' wrecked in Gravesend Reach several yea-^ before. The wrecks were im- pediments to navigation ; and the Lord Mayor, after consulting Colonel Pasley, determined to have the vessels destroyed by gunpowder. Operations commenced on the 19th May by a detachment of thirty non-commissioned officers and men of the 8th company, under the direction of Captain Yule, royal engi- neers, and in a few days the wrecks were blown to pieces by two great charges of gunpowder of 2340 lbs. each. The object desired was thus satisfactorily attained. The sappers executed all the minor fitments not requiring the skill of shipwrights. They also descended in the diving-bell and diving-helmet, managed the movements of the former, and besides preparing and executing the mining details of the operation, assisted the seamen and the riggers in the naval arrangements.'" The men in the diving-bell were exposed to great danger from the violent action, on two occasions, of the ebb and flood tides, and had they not been very resolute men, would have given up the attempt. During the service, a vessel ran foul of the diving-bell lighter, and carried it above a quarter of a mile up the river, disconnecting the great cylinder containing the charge. The next day, sergeant-major Jones, acting with the leading rigger, " got the lighter very nearly back into her former place over the wreck, and recovered the cylinder and leaden pipe from the bottom of the river." To prevent the recurrence of a similar accident, the guard of the detachment on board, kej)t up a brisk fire of blank cartridges when any vessel approached them in tlie night, which had the desired effect." "' ' Va'itvA Service Journal,' iii. 1838, p, 45, 274. " Ibid., iii. p. 41, 42. 326 HISTORY OF •niK ri838. Of thc! " indofatijsablc exc.+ions of the sappers,'' Colonel Pasley made j)articular mention in his officijil report, and added, " it was a pleasure to see them, aid thc seamen and rigf^ers, workinfT so cheerfully tojrether." ■' Sergeant-major Jones," writes the Colonel, "who is equally sk Iful and active as a miner {ind a pontonser, was quite in his elon.ent."'^ The o])erations did not terminate without the occurrence of a nielaucholy accident. On the 21st of Msiy, Corporal Henry Mitchell, who had been practised as a diver for a short time in the jNIcdway, was sent down in a diving-helmet to fix a ccmple of eye-bolts to the side of the ' William,' preparatory to thc first exj)losion. " After examining the wreck, he cjime up and gave a favourable account of his prospects," aud thin " took his tools and descended again ; but owing to a rope fixed roiuid him having become entangled in the wreck, the signals usually made l)y pulling this rope could not be distinguished ;" nor could he be drawn to the surface of the water. On Colonel Pasley reaching the wreck, and as soon as the necessary arrangements could be completed, sergeants John Ross and James Young with two privates, voluntirily descended a second time in the diving-bell, and after a few minutes' careful exertion, succeeded in finding their comrade ; but he was quite dead, hiiving been at the bottom upwards of twelve hours. The intrepid conduct of these non-commissioned officers was much applauded.''' The great exi)losions above referred to, had not, it was ascer- tained, touched the bow of the brig ' A\'illiam ;' and in August operations were resumed to destroy it. The entire service, except the duty of diving, devolved on the sappers. A leaden cylinder, to hold a charge of 315 lbs. of gunpowder, was made by some artificers of the corps at ('hatliam ; but it failed on application, and tin oil bottles, containing small charges prepared by the sappers, were found to answer the purpose. These were taken to the wreck every morning by sergeaut-niiijor Jones and another non-conmiissicmed officer, and being pro})erly fixed by the divers and fired by the sergeant-major, the remaining frag- '* ' I'liitod Service Jouri'a',' iii. 1838, p. 45. " Ibid., iii. p. 40,41. 1838.] nOYAL SAPPERS AND MINEUS. 327 ments of the wreck were so broken and dis])ersed, as to render the anchorasre perfectly safe for the i*hippnig. Fifteen of such charges were fired against the ' ^^ illiain,* and two more, to make ' assuiance doubly sure,' were also exploded among the scat- tered timbers of the 'Glcnniorgan.' Sergeant-major Jones was the executive on this service under the direction of Colonel Pasley.'* lender the authority of the Act of 1st Vict. cap. 20, thtj Ordnance received in charge the royal military canal at llythe. With a view to a more economical expenditure in its control and repair, the company of the royal staff corps in charge of it, was disbanded in July,'^ and a detachment of two sergeants and forty-two rank and file of the royal sappers and miners suc- ceeded to the duty. Of this detachment, one sergeant and twenty rank and file had been detached to the canal early in April, and the remainder, to the above total, was completed by an incorjioration of several men from the staff corps company, and six non-conmiissioncd officers and gunners acquainted with the care and management of horses from the royal artillery. The principal duties of the detachment consisted in taking charge of the locks and sluices, collecting tolls, repairing the drains, fences, &c., and in the execution of various laborious services in mud and water. A careful review of this arrtingement, and of the receipts and expenses of the canal, however, induced Sir Ilussey Vivian, the Master-General, to supersede the employ- ment of sappers by pensioners from the ordnance corps at very reduced wages ; and accordingly in December, 1840, the de- tachment was reduced to thirty-two of all ranks ; in May, 1841, to seven ; and in the following month, to one sergeant, who continued on duty at Ilythe till October, 1842. '* ' United Service Journal,' iii. 1838, p. 271-274 " The disbandment of this company was the last in the annihilation of the corps. In that mouth it disappeared from the muster-rclls of the army. 328 UlSTORY OF THE [1839. 1839. Expedition to Western Australia under Captain Grey — Excursion with Auger to the north of Perth — Search for Mr. Ellis — Exploration of shores from Freemantle — Bernier and Dorre Islands ; want of water ; trials of the party — Water allowance reduced —A lagoon discovered — -Privations and hardships of the party — Return to Bernier Island for stores — Its altered appearance — Destruction of the depfit of provisions — Consternation of Coles — Auger's example under the circumstances — Expedition makes for Swan River — Perilous landing at Gantheaume Bay — Overland journey to Perth ; straits of the adventurers — ^Auger searching for a missing man — Coles observes the natives; arrangements to meet them— Water found by Auger — A spring discovered by Coles at Water Peak — Disaffection about long marches ; forced journeys determined upon ; the two sappers and a few others accom- pany the Captain— Desperate hardships and fatigues; the last revolting resource of thirst — Extraordinary exertions of the travellers ; their sufferings from thirst; water found — Appalling bivouac — Coles's agony and fortitude — Struggles of the adventurers; they at iast reach Perth — Auger joins two expeditions in search of the slow walkers — Disposal of Coles and Auger. Captain Gkey of the 83rd regiment, undertook a second ex- pedition ; this time to ^^'^estern Australia. As soon as the sappers had recovered from the hardships and privations to which they had heen subjected in New Holland, they volun- teered again to accompany him. Private R. Mustard, too much shaken by the injury he had sustained on the former expedition, was unfit to proceed, and was left with the company of the corps at the Mauritius. On the 21st of August, 1838, the party embarked at Port Louis; and, on the 18th of September, arrived at Perth, A\ estern Australia. Delays prevented the Captain immediately pursuing his ob- ject, but to turn the interval to profit, he made a short excursion to the north of Perth with Mr. Frederick Smith and Corporal Auger. The exploration continued from the 30th November to 1839.] 15UYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 329 the 8th of December, and was marked by incidents of a pacific character. None of the difficulties which clogged their previous exertions were experienced on this trip, and, coupled with the variety and beauty of the scenery, but little enthusiasm was needed to make the travellers feel an interest in the service.' The year opened with ('aptain Grey and four adventurers, including his two sappers, travelling into the interior in search of Mr. George Ellis and his two companions, who, having left the Williams' River for the Leschenault on the coast, had been out for several days beyond the period it was expected they would reach their destination, and fears were entertained for their safety. Captain Grey and his men steadily pursued their object, till the missing travellers, alive and in tolerable health, turned up to their exertions at Augusta. After twenty-two days' bush-ranging, the Caj)tain and his party re-entered Perth on the 31st of January. This episodical service was one of fatigue, particularly in crossing the Darling range and in pushing their route through forests and over wild and rugged ground. In some districts, the want of water was severely felt by them, and for eleven hours in one day, they journeyed on- wards under a sultry sun, suffering from excessive thirst.^ On the 17th of February, the exjjedition of twelve persons sailed from Fremantle to examine the shores of Shark's Bay and the country behind it, taking with them three whale-boats for future use. On the 25th, they landed at Bernier Island, discovering, when too late, that the keg of tobacco which was to have constituted their chief consolation in hardship, was left on board. After landing the provisions, the greater part of them were buried for security, but the want of water drove the expedition to Dorre Island on the 2bth of February, where their perse- vering search was equally unavailing, for the little that was obtained was extracted by suction from small holes in the rock. Already the party had had one of its boats knocked to pieces, and its stores lost, whilst the other two boats in a hurricane were much injured. For three days the sai)pcro were engaged ' ' Grey's TiavelB,' i. p. 292-309. « Ibid., i. p. 310-328. 330 HISTORY OF THE ri839. in their repair, and on the Srd of March, the travellers, oj)- pressed with thirst, wearied by fatigue, and exposed to the full blaze of a ])owerful sun, sailed for the main/' Reaching a sand-bank, the boats were tracked and pulled onwards, through deep mud and weeds, into a dense mangrove creek, to land ; and, in accom])lishing this service, severe trials were encountered, the difficulties of which were increased by the exhaustion which labour and the want of water induced. In fifteen days, the allowance had been reduced from two and a half pints to half a i)int a day.^ Pursuing their journey, a lagoon of fresh water was soon found, and all bent the knee to take their fill of the luxury. A black line round the countenance showed how deej)ly each had regaled himself. Next day, the two sai)j)ers and some of the party visited the lagoon again, and in the evening re- turned loaded to the boats.^ Several days had been spent in exploration and adventure, during which the river Gascoyne had been discovered, and a few objects of geographical interest named. On one occasion, a storm having overtaken the wayfarers, their boats, which were swamped, were dragged amid much danger to shore ; and their flour, saturated with salt water, was now quite spoilt. Nevertheless, unwholesome as it was, they were forced to use it, as they had nothing else to eat. Illness now began to ap])ear among the party, and as there was neither food nor medicine to give them, their situation was deplorable. ^^ hile in this helpless state, they were attacked by a body of about thirty natives near Kolaina plains ; but fortunately, they succeeded in pushing off their boats without any serious accident occurring." Auger at the time was in the head of the boat, soldering up the breaches in an old kettle, valuable in its way, for the expedition had none other for its cooking purposes, when a s])ear, thrown by a savage, whizzed past the industrious tinker, and struck the seaman Ruston. After a period of intense desolation and gloom, in which the j a ' (Jifj's Travels,' i. p. 32U-;144. '• Ibid., i. p. a.'ii-asa. * Ilml., i. p. .U.j-.'l.'il. " Ibid,, i. p. .'iSI-aTO. 1839. 1 ROYAL SArrEHS AND MIXFliS. 331 expedition was ex])ose(l to the fury of anfji'y stornis, and the jiinchinu; calls of want, the l)()ats jjiit to sea; and snrroiuided by perils l)oth from surf and squall, the ."dvonturcrs returned to tiie Gciseoyne. Lfiunching or heaehiujr their boats on the rocky coast was a service of hazard and difficulty. On the 20th of March the provisions were nearly expended, and to replenish their stores, the boats made for Bernier Island. A jjale of wind (taught them on the passjige, and they only made good the landing by almost su[)erhuman exertion. Here a store of pro- visions had been buried, when the expedition first made the island, but from its very altered appearance, caused by the ravages of recent hurricanes, (^^iptain Grey doubted whether the depot could be found. Fearing some disaster had befallen the stores, he considered it unadvisable that tlie " discovery should be made in the presence of too mjvny persons, as future discipline would depend on the first impression that was given." lie therefore selected Mr. Smith and corporal Coles, in whose courage, disinterestedness, and self-possession, he j)laced great confidence, to accompany him to the dejjot. The corj)oral took a spade with him.' Before they had gone far, they observed staves of flour casks scattered about amongst the rocks and high up on the sjuid hills. Coles, taking a rapid glance of the ground, " persisted, they were so far iidand, that they could only have come from the flour casks which the exj)edition had emptied before start- ing." Moving on in their anxious survey, they "next came to a cask of salt provisions washed high and dry at least twenty feet above the usual high-water mark ; the sea had evidently not been near the spot for a long period, as it was half covered with drift sand, which must have taken some time to accumulate. This Coles again easily accounted for ; it was merely the cask which had been lost from the wreck of the ' Paul Pry.' " The Captain thought otherwise, but made no remark. At length they reached the depot. " So changed was it, that both Mr. Smith and (Jolcs ])ersisted it was not the place : but on going to the shore, there were some very remarkable rocks, on the top of ' ' Urey's TravcU,' i. p. yT'.t 391. 332 HISTORY OV THE [1830. which lay a flour cask more than half cmj)ty, with the head knocked out, hut not otherwise injured. Tiiis was also washed up at least twenty feet of perpendicular elevation beyond high water mark. Tiie dreadful certainty now flashed on the minds of Mr. Smith and corporal ( \)les ;" but jjoor ( 'oles, usually so im- l)erturbable in character, and so ready to fi'id reasons for the alarming appearances which had met his gaze at every step, did not bear the surprise as well as had been exj)ccte.l. lie dashed the spade upon the ground with almost ferocious violence, and looking up to (Captain Grey, said, " All lost, sir ! We are all lost." A few rallying words from the (Captain, however, made liim " perfectly cool and collected, and he ])romiscd to make liglit of the misfortune to the rest, and to observe the strictest discipline." Coles with eager economy now collected every })article of the precious floiir, discoloured as it was, that was left in the barrel and strewn on the rocks, and with another bag of spoiled flour found among the sea-weeds, the adventurers returned to the party Their tale of distress was soon told, and all heard it with dismay. "Mr. Walker and corporal Auger set an excellent example to the others. Two seamen named ^^'oods, indisposed to bear, in common with tlie adventurers, the sacrifices that impended, seized the first op])ortunity of endea- vouring to appropriate to themselves the miserable remnant of damper belonging to the party ; b\it their unmanly intention being observed, a sentry was placed in charge of the scanty store of provisions, which only amounted to about nine lbs. of salt meat, and about sixty lbs. of tolerably good flour." The expedition quitted Bernicr Island (m the 22nd of March, to make for Swan River. In taking this ourse, it was hoped, that if any accident occurred Perth could be reached by walk- ing. Oossing the bay, the party sjiiled to the southward, examining the coast, ;ind after a brief stay on Perron's Penin- sula and Dirk Ilartog's Island, the boats on the 31st, reached Gantheaume Bay. Eleven days were spent in achieving this run : the coasting was very perilous, and the gales that caught tlie leaky boats as they swept along, were terrific. Both were " ' Grey's Travels,' i. p. 391-39(1. 1839.] ROYAL SAI'PEIJS AND MINEliS. :j3:i ■1 more than once in immiiieut danger, but tlie unsparing energy and determination of the men carried them safely to the shore. At Gantheaumc Bay, iiowevcr, tlie landing was not eft'oeted without casualty. The surf was high and raging, and the wind drove the boats along at a fearful rate. Onwards they jilunged, now dancing on a swell, now pitching in a trough, now quite unmanageable, when one was tossed over by a furious wave and dashed in fragments amongst the rocks and breakers. In an instant, its crew and the two sappers were struggling through the foaming surf, but after tumbling amongst oars and water- kegs, and the spars and splinters of the wreck, all clambered to the summit of the cliff, torn, jaded, and exhausted.' A crisis had now arrived which it was necessary to meet with firmness. Assembling the expedition, the captain ex- plained matters as they appeared, and of which the travellers were only too cognizant. Auger, who all along had repaired the boats, was asked by the chief, if they could be put in any kind of condition for service. Knowing their unfitness for anything, and the impossibility of making them even tempo- rarily seaworthy, he frankly answered in the negative. Fortified by the professional o])inion of a truthful and skilful artificer, Captain Grey took his determination at once and aiTangements were made accordingly. On the 2nd April, the party started from Gantheaume Bay, resolved to reach Perth by marching. The provisions had been shared out — 20 lbs. of flour and 1 lb. of salt meat ])er man. The flour was of a brown colour with a fermented taste, like bad beer, and nothing but dire necessity could induce any one to eat it. The distance to be travelled was about 300 miles in a direct line, without taking hills, val- leys, and deviations into account. Corporals (Joles and Auger, besides their provisions, &c., carried a pocket chronometer and a large sextant, turn about. (Joles also bore the Captain's rifle, and Auger a choice book valued by the chief, and a housewife containing some needles and thread and a few patches. In all the dreadful hardships that beset them, even when extreme feebleness might have excused them the toil of bearing the " ' Gr /'s Travels,' i. p. 396-412. 334 IIISTOIIY OK TIIH ri830. articles, they iilmiuloiUMl iiotliiiiif until ordered to do so. " In- deed," suys ('ii])tiiin Grey, " I do not lielieve that tliere is a 8tronu;er instance of" iidelity and ijerseveranee than was eviiieed by some of the l)arty, in retainiiifr under every difheulty, pos- session of that which they had j)rouii.-t'd to j)reserve for nie." '" Impeded by natural obstacles, their j)ro<^ress was tediously slow. The llutt River was reached on the 5th. A few days after they touched the IJowes River, and then jouriieyiiifj throuj^h the province of Victoria, rested by the rivers Ruller and C'liapinan." On the banks of the latter a man was found missing ; and Dr. Walker and corporal Auger were sent in search of him. They ascended the cliff's and tracked him to the sea ; but as a large party of natives were near them, they gave up the jjui-suit, and, unobserved, retreated. The missing man turned up next day.'" While this party was out, corporal Coles, who was posted as sentry on a high terrace difficult of access, saw natives on the opposite cllfl's brandishing their si)ears in the manner they do before a light. ( 'ajjtain Grey clambered up the height, but as he could not make them out, he thought Coles had made a mistiike. " When I told him this," writes the Captiiin, " he merely said. Look there, the.i, sir," and pointed to the top of Mount Fairfax. There, iiideed, they were, going through a series of enigmatical cereivouies. The disposition which the Captain made of his men, being observed by the natives, at first excited them to furious gestures, but by d(>grees, they calmed down and suddenly withdrew. "The British soldiers and sailors with nie," proceeds the chief, " were surprisingly calm." '3 The Greenough River was reached on the Hth April. Here some of the men became sullen and would not ])roceed. In the mean time corporal Auger went alone to search for water, and soon finding it, the party was moved to the stream. Revived in spirits by the supply, all readily resumed the inarch, and ■' '" ' Grey's Travels," ii. p. C. '« IbiU., ii. p. ;H-37. " Ibid., ii. p. 1-,'!1. '" IbiU., ii. p. 31-3a. Ih30. inas). ItOYAI, SAPrKUH AND MIN'KIIS. aaa before nijflitfall, liad tniv(!llo(l s-cvoii milos furtlior on their joiinioy.'^ Hut the wisli for sliort innrchcs iiiul hiw^ lialts wliidi prevailed from the tirst, and in which Dr. Waliicr coin-, cided, was now exiiihited in diseontont. The Captain, liowcver, wisely persisted in foUowinj^ his own phui. On the ilth April the want of water was nnich felt ; and late in the d.iy corporals Auyer and (Joles and three others went in search of some. They had made about seven miles, " when the keen eye of Coles," says the (.'aptuin, " discovered a beautiful spring,' under a hill, which was then named the Water Peak." Why this designation ? Indebted to the corjjoral for finding tlie si)rinj,', it would not surely have been irrelevant to associate the humble name of the faithful discoverer with this interesting feature of the hard journey. In returning to the party, they wandered over a rough country full of crevices, sustaining some serious falls, and, being benighted, did not reach their conij)anions till the next morning.'* So great had the disaffection become about short marches, that the Cajttain resolved to adopt a course to settle the ques- tion. About seventy miles only had been marched, and six or seven pounds of flour were all that was left to each person. All were hourly losing strength and energy, and suffering from stiffened limbs. To delay under such circumstances was sure to brinsr with it wants and trials of the most distressing nature. The Captain, therefore, determined to proceed by forced jour- neys. " It w;is evident," he writes, " that those men who, during our late toils, had shown themselves the most ca])able of enduring hardships, privations, and the fatigue of long and rapid marches, were those best suited for the service destined for them." Among the five selected to accomj)any him were coqjorala Auger and Coles, whose force of character and disci- plinary habits made them tit exanijjles for imitation in so forlorn an extremity. Dr. \\ alker's party consisted of five men, and himself as the chief. Mr. Frederick Smith was with the slow walkers. The separation took place on the lOtli April.'" '* 'Grey's Travels,' ii. p. 37. " Ibid., ii. p. 40-44. '» Ibiil., ii. p. 4.')-,^)i. 336 HISTORY OF THE [1839. The AiTowsmith River was gained by Captain Grey and his steady men on the 1 1 th, and a further march of forty-six miles brought, tliem on the 13[h to Gairdner's Range. On the 14th, they reached the Hill River, and after a long journey, halted at a pool, where they each cooked two table-spoonsful of flour in about a pint of thick water into a mess they termed soup. Tliis, with a few nuts from the zamia tree, formed their day's repast. On this scanty fare they trudged along at a smart pace, over an arid and sterile tract of country, groaning from pain and fatigue. The sun, too, was intensely hot, antl all grew fciint for want of water. Gaining the course of a parched-up stream, it was called the " Smith " River. Many holes like wells were m its bottom, inviting search and promising success ; but all were cruelly dry, and the very stones over which the water once had gushed, were 1 'anchcd or blackened with long exposure to a burning sun. Now their weary days only jjassed to be suc- ceeded by sleepless and toilsome nights. Almost j)erishing with thirst, they wandered like wild men even in the dark hours of night, from swamp to swamp, digging holes in a vain search. For two days and two nights they had not tasted a single drop of water or food of any kind ; "nd on the 17th, as they moved slowly on with weak and husky voices, they moistened their mouths by sucking a few drops of dew from the shrubs and reeds. So worn out were they all, that now they could only walk a few hundred yards iit a time ; but about two o'clock in the afternoon they were so completely exhausted, it was impos- sible to move them. The sun was then very oppn-isive, and the groans of the men were painful in the •extreme. Some bad fruitlessly essayed to obUiin relief to their parched throats by chewing vhe laces and fragments of the tops of their ankle boots ; but now the " last sad and revolting resource of thirst was upon them -they were driven to drink their own — !" ''' Reduced to the last degree of weakness and want, Captain Grey, in this desperate crisis, resolved to proceed southward, and never to halt until he droppeil or reached water ; and if any of the party fell behind, not to wqit for them, but to go on " 'Grey's Trayels,' ii. p. .54-72. t I I 1839.] ROYAL SA^PEr.S AND MINERS. 337 until he slaked his own thirst, and then to return with assistance to them. Upon all he called to exert their utmost energies atid make a last struggle for their lives. Every superfluous article was now thrown away, and tiic very valuable sextant, carried in turns by corporals Coles and Auger, was also aban- doned. In sad procession the sufl'erers re< led on with wild and haggard looks; ai.'l though reason with some had hcgmi to iiold but a very slight influence, discipline was rigidly main- tained, and not a complaint escaped them. At length, after suffering intense thirst for three days and two nights, perform- ing severe marches under a scorching sun, the delighted travel- lers, finding a small hole of moist mud, each as he came up cast his wearied and aching limbs beside the hole, and, thanking God, greedily swallowed the liquid.'** Almost in a state of stupefaction the men lay down by the pool, watching wiih straining eye-balls until they again saw a little mud in it, which they eagerly licked up. Pigeons and cockatoos in numbers came to drink of the spring, but the gaunt wayfarers forestalling them had consumed the supply. Above, hovered birds in tempting flocks while the travellers by the " lone pool " were starving. Not an arm was strong enough to bring one down. The guu was partially raised, but the tremor of the effort rendered the attempt altogether hope- less. Each now turned to his own little store, and cooking a spoonful of flour, mixed with the black '>nuid, grat(!fully ate it. All sense of smell and taste had gone, and a repast of mud was as palatable as a custard. Next day, April the 18th, quitting the memorable pool, they traversed a very hilly and densely- wooded country, and finding excellent water, made, notwith- stjuiding their extreme feebleness, an incredibly long march. At night they lay 'own exposed to heavy rain, and, as a piece of torn and shreded blanket between two was their only covering, their situation was one of extreme wretchedness and suffering." During these wanderings. Auger found intcvals in which his spirits were sufficiently buoyant to encourage him to un))ack his needles and thread, and to do his best — being '" ' Grey's Travels,' ii. p. 77-81. '" Ibid., ii. p. 81-87. VOL. I. /• 338 HISTORY OF THE [1839. only an improvised tailor — to mend the gaping rents and fretted fractures in the Captain's tattered costume.^ On the 19th, the exhausted travellers were in motion again, but completely crippled from the cold of the night. " Corporal Coles," writes the Captain, " my faithful and tried companion in all my wanderings, could scarcely crawl along. The flesh was completely torn away fion one of his heels ; and the irri- tation caused by this had produced a large swelling in the groin. Nothing but his own strong fortitude, aided by the encouragement given him by myself and his comrades, could have made him move under his great agony."^' Twenty one miles the paHy marched that day without food, and only gave up when the darkness closed in upon them. A night of appal- ling misery succeeded, for the teeming rain drenched them as they lay ; and the following morning, wasted and weak, with rigid limbs and shivering bodies, tli'^y could only, by extra- ordinary efforts, push themselves along. Life was scarcely worth the effort it cost to move, (^oles was in a dreadful state, staggering on like a drunken man reduced to the last extremity of human endurance. It required fortunately but a few more desperate struggles to succeed ; all therefore buoyed up their spirits, for, in their deep despair, a flickering hope still remained ; and on the 21st April the five exemplary adventurers under their captain, entered Perth miserable objects of emaciation and prostration.^'' Here ended thc'r toils, discouragements, and privations; and here they were tended with the best ledical skill that the settlement could command.'^^ Worn as he was, Auger started again the next day with a party under Lieutenant Mortimer to search for the lagging travellers left with Dr. Walker, and was out a fortnight Driven '" Lady Thomas, the mother of tlie cliief, hca"-'! of these thoughtful atten- tions exercised under such trying circumstances, and on the traveller being introduced to her, she acknowledged his kindness with no little emotion, and marked her grateful appreciation of it by a suitable gift. «i ' Grey's Tra\ els,' ii. p. 87. e Ibid., ii. p. 88-97. " Both received 1». a-day each working pay, and for their good and enter- prising conduct a gratuity of 10/. from the Secretary of State for the ColonieG. 1839] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 339 by want of provisions the mission returned to Perth on the 6th May, bringing with it one of tlie missing men. In the following morning the corporal wad again afoot with a second party under Mr. Roc, the surveyor-general of the province. Big-boned, broad and unbending, though ailing, attenuated and of melancholy aspect, he marched for eleven more days, re-entering the settlement on the 21st May with Mr. Spoffortli, the companion traveller of Mr. Roc. The search was suc- cessful ; four of the ad/enturers were taken into Perth, and the starved remains of t!ie last were buried in a sand-hill. After sleeping upwards of 400 nights in the open air and suffering hardships of extreme severity, it seems strange that Auger, footsore and tired, should not have been allowed a horse, as some of the party were, u])on which to travel in these concluding services ; and it is even more surprising that Captain Grey, in furnishing the details of these secondary txj)edition ■, should have suppressed all allusion to the presence of the corporal, who deserved, for his spirit and endurance, most honourable mention. Months passed away before the two corporals regained their health, when, in February, 1840, they proceeded to South A'lstralia. Corporal Coles joined the detachment of the corps ' i i\ t Adelaide; and corporal Av.'ger landed at ^Voolwich in .*^':m '•inb^r, and was soon afterwards discharged by purchase.^' '•io- n nained in the corps till June, 1843, when he was ;^t)n.- oijO on Is. a-day, in consequence of the loss of the fnigors of his riyliC hand and the forefinger of his left, occasioned by " Broken down by the service Auger felt it necessary to seek repose in civil life. When sufficiently restored he was engaged to hold a responsihle situa- tion in the I'inili wheel factory, by Octavius Smith, Kbij., of Tliames liank, the father of poor Mr. Frederick Smith, who was one of the expedition. This young gentleman offered a noble example of courage, pati.'ucc, and resignation, but his delicate and shattered constitution not giving him strength to keep up in the forced marches of his chief, he was left, in tne painful separation on the 10th April, with the slow marchers under Dr. Walker, and perished in Uie bush from want and exhaustion, at the tender age of nineteen. Captain, now Sir George Grey, on visiting Kngland in 18r)4, most kindly •luorht fov Auger. Naturally the meeting awakened reminiscences of the .-.tw llol'iiind struggles; and the ehief, at parting, presented his corporal with an elegant silver teapot and stand, hearing this simple but expressive inscrip- ti„n : — " i?ir George Grey to his old follower, Richard Auger, .\ugust, 1854." 340 HISTORY OF THE [1839. the accidental explosion of a carronade, which he was firing in honour of the birth of the Duke of Cornwall. Captain Grey was then Governor of South Australia, and he at once nomi- nated f. '"nit'^ful companion and servant to a lucrative govern- ment ap mt in the colony, presenting him also, at great cost, with , .;t of fingers fitted to his hand, which were so beautiful in their mechanism and accurate in their working, that he could pick up a button or a sixpence with pleasing facility. 1839. 1839.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 341 igin Grey lomi- vern- great re so that ity. i^ 1839. Services of the detachment in Spain— Last party of the artillery on the survey — Survey of South Australia — Inspection at I^imerick by Sir William Mac- bean — Tiiangulatiou of north of Scotland — Also of the Clyde — Pontoons by sergeant Hopkins — Augmentation of the corps — Also of the survey compa- nies— Supernumerary rank annulled — Tithe surveys ; quality of work ex- ecuted on them by discharged sappers; efficient surveys of sergeant Douli — Increase of survey pay — Staff appointments on the survey — Responsibility of quartermaster-sergeant M'Kay — Colonel Colby's classes — Based upon particular attainments — Disputed territory in the State of Maine — Movements and services of the party employed in its survey ; intrepidity of corporal M'Queen— Experiments with the diving-bell — Also with the voltaic battery — Improvement in the priming-wires by Captain Sandham ; seigcant-major Jones's waterproof composition and imitation fuses — Demolition and removal of the wreck of the ' Uoyal George ' — Organization of detachment employed in the operation — Emulation of parties — Success of the divers ; labours of the sappers — Diving bell abandoned — Accident tn private Brabaut — Fear- lessness of Corporal Harris in unloading the gunpowder from the cylinders — Hazardous duty in soldering the loading-hole of the cylinder — First sapper helmet divers — Conduct and exertions of the detachment. The detachment in Spain was not called upon during the year to take part in any active operation. Its services were, there- fore, confined to the works. At Passages the men performed several duties connected with the squadron ; and in addition to fitting up ller Majesty's ship ' Nightingale ' for stores, made various essential alterations and fitments in Lord John Hay's vessel, the ' North Star.' Sections of the detachment were for months at Aquirre completing the construction of a redoubt and magazine, and repairing the fortified house there, and building a barrack and magazine at Cachola Fort on the Heniani road. Others were also occupied for a period in fitting up the liospital at San Sebastian, repairing the barracks i 346 HISTORY OF THK [1839. of the royal artillery and royal marines, and attending to the security of the different forts in front of the fortress. A detJichment of the cartillery had, ever since the commence- ment of the national survey, heen employed on that duty, whose numbers, by degrees, were reduced to five non-commissioned officers and privates. This year saw the last of that regiment on the survey, for the men alluded to were transferred to the corps on the 1st April. On the 20th September, one sergeant, two corporals, and twelve privates landed at Port Adelaide, South Australia, from the ' Recovery ' emigrant ship. The royal authority for the organization of this party to carry out the surveys of the colony, under the direction of Captain E. C. Frome, royal engineers, was dated 2nd July, 1839. Lord Nonnanby, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, at the instance of the South Australian Commissioners, recommended the measure. By this addition, the corps wnf^ increased from 1,048 to 1,003 of all ranks. The party was composed of men chiefly from the survey, married, with families, and well adapted for the service of the settle- ment. Soon the men were dispersed over a wide extent of the province, surveying a wild unoccupied territory, and also in setting off and surveying blocks of land for the emigrants. The duty was not without its trials ; and for months the sur- veyors obtained no better shelter than the bush, the shade of some bold cliff, or the cover of a frail canvas tent. In 1844, when it became indispensable to effect some changes in the surveying department and in the mode of its action, in con- sequence of the increased population of the colony and its great inland distribution, his Excellency Captain G. Grey expressed before the Legislative Council his sense of the accuracy and ability with which the detachment had conducted the surveys, and added, that no greater efficiency could be desired in effecting the trigonometrical survey than that displayed in their labours.' Some of the party were constantly at Port Adelaide engaged in the contingent duties of the station, such as working at their trades, drawing, &c., and in superintendence. At first ' ' South Australian Register,' August 24, 1844. 1839.J ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 343 all .expenses were borne by tlie Commissioners, but eventually they were defrayed from the colonial revenue. The working pay of the party continues to range between Is. and 5s. a-day each, e.'vclusive of regimental allowances and rations. The sergeant in charge receives the highest rate, and tlie orivates seldom less than 28. a-day each. On the 23rd May, the sixteenth company under the com- mand of Captain Stotherd, ll.E., was inspected at Limerick by Major-General Sir William Macbean, and commended by the General for their soldier-like conduct and appearance.^ One corporal and twenty privates were detached in May under Lieutenant Robinson, R.E., to the north of Scotland, and continued on the trigonometrical survey of that portion of the country until late in December, when they rejoined their companies. Captain A. Henderson, having with him one corporal and six privates, was employed in the secondary triangulation of the Clyde from May to the 10th October. At the summer examination of the gentleman cadets at Sandhurst, there was "exhibited a pontoon raft of very inge- nious construction, made by the sappers employed at the college under the direction of sergeant John llopkina" The raft was supported on two wicker boats formed after the fashion of the old Welsh coracle, covered with waterproof canvas, " each being ten feet long by three feet wide, and two feet three inches deep. Tlie buoyancy and firmness of the raft were such as to show, that by giving a small additional length to the coracles, it might be rendered capable of bearing field artillery, and it was so light as to be swiftly impelled by a pair of oars. The experiment was extremely satisfactory, and proved that a very valuable resource in the field might be found in such con- structions for passing rivers."^ On several occasions during the term the detachment were out day and night extinguishing fires — the work of incendiaries — in the plantations near the college, and their effectual exertions prevented the destruction « ' Limerick CUrouicIe,' 25th May, 1839. ^ ' United Service .loiirnal,' ii. 1839, p. 420. 344 HISTORY OF THE [1839. of much of the crown property. Sergeant Hopkins was highly praised for his activity and intelligence in the practical work of instruction, and corporal Robert Ilearnden for his skill in the construction of revetments. By the authority of a royal warrant dated 3rd July, 1838, a company of eighty-nine strong, numbered the tenth, was added to the corj)s on the 1st July, 1839, which increased the establishment from 1,063 to 1,152 of all ranks. The formation of this company was occasioned by the removal in the previous year of a company from nome duty to the Canadas. In 1838 the Government threw the tithe surveys in England into the hands of contractors, whereby the parishes were bur- dened with an expense of dd. an acre, while the survey executed by the Ordnance cost but little more than half the sum. The higher price thus paid to the contractors, enabled them to attract to their employment civil assistants trained by the Ord- nance, to do their work. Many resignations of superior sur- veyors and draughtsmen were therefore the result, and so great a loss from a single class, necessarily deferred the completion of a large portion of surveyed work. To provide against injury from any similar contingency, a warrant dated 2nd July, 1839, authorized an augmentation of two sergeants, two coqiorals, two second corporals, and ten privates to each survey company, which, for the three companies devoted to that service, gave an increase of forty-eight men, making the total sapper establish- ment on the survey amount to — CV)l^rgts. ScrgU. Corporals. 2nd Corpln. Bug. rrivoti'9. Total. 3 15 18 18 6 2.55 315 By this augmentation, the corps was raised from a total of 1,152 to 1,200. At this period, the survey companies were generally employed on confidential duties and dispersed over a vast extent of country ; while most of the non-commissioned officers and many of the privates were in charge of parties, performing duties which required the exercise of great judgment and discretion. The additional permanent rank was granted to invest the non- commissioned officers with more weight and authority among 1839.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 34.5 their parties, and to supersede recourse to the anomalous expe- dient of supernumerary promotion. The same reason which diminished the civil strength of the national survey, induced a disposition among the best soldiers of the corps on tiiat duty to purchase their discharge. Several quitted during the tithe survey mania,* and the vacancies in the three companies by this and other means, showed that en- couragement was wanted to influence them to continue in the service. To afford this. Colonel Colby obtained the power on the 16th August, 1839, to award working pay to the royal sappers and miners under his command, to the maximum of 3«. a-day, according to individual merit and exertion, in addition to their regimental pay and allowances. This, however, was not regarded by Colonel Colby as suffi- cient to meet the emergency. It was hopeless for him to compete in peci.niary payments with the expensive parochial surveys of Englmd, and he therefore asked for two military rewards in ad;'ition to the augmented working j)ay. These were the permanent rank and pay of one sergeant-major and one quartermaster-sergeant. But the Master-General did not view the matter in the same light as the Colonel, and only con- sented to the appointment of an acting sergeant-major with the pay of the rank. This Colonel Colby did not consider an adequate distinction, and he never availed himself of it.- ■* Several of those who quitted obtained ready employment on these surveys, and their maps in all cases were of the first class. Mr. Chadwick, in his report to the Poor-Law Commissioners, compared the " nou-efficicncy of per- sons appointed to make surveys under the Tithe Commutation and Parochial Assessment Acts, with those executed by privates and non-commissioned officers of the sappers and miners. Out of 1,700 first-class maps, not more than one- half displayed qualifications for the execution of public surveys without superict.jndcr.ce. Amongst the most satisfactory surveys were those executed by a retired ."orgeont of the corps " — Alexander Doull, — ' British Almanac and Companion,' 1843, p. 38. ' In December, 1834, James M'Kay was appointed acting quartermaster- sergeant with the pay of the rank. Entrusted with the care and issue of the engravings of the survey, more than 180,000 passed tlirough his hands, amounting in value to 35,500/., the accounts for which, rendered half-yearly to the Irish Government, were never found to contain a single error. So ex. tensive a responsibility rarely falls to a non-commissioned officer. Upwards of. forty years he served in the corps, and, for his merits, received a gratuity and 346 HISTORY OF THE [1839. In July, 1839, before the increased working pny was granted, the followinfT was tlie distribution of the companies on the survey according to classes. Receiving less than Colonel Colby's Classes. 1st 3rd 4th 5th ctn IB. S. rl. . 1 0 . 1 0 . 1 1 . 1 2 . 1 .1 . 1 4 . 1 ."i . 1 G M ^ . I 8 ll 9 l\ 10 .111 (■2 0 a-day No. 19 '25 15 12 17 17 24 26 20 17 .5 3 1 5 206" The qualifications demanded of surveyors to render them deserving of advancement were as follows : — CTiss 1st. — To be capable of surveying for content — flat country. C/' lity with cor- rectness and neatness, s])ccial encouragement was given to such sajjpers by the grant of a proportional allowance. Second-corporal Robert Ilearnden and two lance-corporals were atUiched on the 'Jth July to Colonel Mudgc, RE., and Mr. Featherstonhaugli, to assist in the topographical survey of the disputed territory in the state of Maine, with a view to the settlement of the boundary question. The sappers were dressed in plain clothes, suitable to the climate ; and after a brief stay at New York, and subsequently at Boston, entered Fredericton on the IDth August. Sixty-two canoes were hired for the service of the commission, and about 100 men, chiefly Indians, to man them. I^mce-ccrporal ^V'illiam ^McGregor was left at the observatory at the Cirand Falls, St. John's ; and on every day, at intervals of two hours, registered the indications of the five different barometers placed in his charge. C'orporal Ilearn- den and lance-corporal John McQueen were employed with the Connnissioners ; and, in tracing the sources of the rivers and finding the heights of land, aided in registering the residts of the instruments used to determine their altitudes. This cmplojTiient necessarily kept them much afloat ; they moved daily to reconnoitre ; and in doing so, the stores and equipage, for which they were responsible, were invariably sent onwards under their charge. At night they slept in tents by the shores of the streams where their day's labour ended, and in winter were much exposed to great inclemency of weather and some- times personal danger. Once corporal McQueen, under cir- cumstances of peculiar peril, saved from drowning a servant of one of the commissioners, and held him with his powerful ann, by the collar, at the side of the canoe for about an hour, until he reached land. The canoe at the time was crossing the first lake on the Allagash, about three miles broad, and was freighted with baggage. Had he taken the sufferer into the canoe it i !l 348 HISTORY OF TlIK [1839. would have foundered, us it wns then sunk in the water to the gunwale. Corporal McQueen also met with personal misfortune in the loss by tire of his necessaries. Late in November the party reached Fredericton, and arrived at \V^oolwich on the 24th January, 1H40. Each received 1». a-day working pay, and as a reward for having performed their duties in a satis- factory manner, a gratuity of 10?. Previously to undertaking the destruction of the wreck of the ' Royal George,' at Spithead, Colonel Pasley made various experiments with the diving-bell. The common form was rectangular, and proved under certain circumstances very dan- gerous. The diving-bell in Chatham dockyard was fitted up by carpenters of the corps, and when completed, resembled in its horizontjil section, that of a boat twelve and a half feet long, and four and a half broad.' On the 14th May the altered bell was tried from the ' Anson,' 72, in the Medway, near Gilling- ham. Captain M. \Villiams, R.E., was the excf'tivo officer : he had with him a party of the corps and some riggers, &c., to work the bell. Sergeant-major Jones was the first man of the sappers to enter it, and on that day the experiments fully j)roved its efficacy for hazardous service. Colonel Pasley thereupon determined to use it at Spithead." In the experiments which from time to time were made with the voltaic battery, serjeant-major Jones was always appointed to assist. Colonel Pasley had a high ojiinion of his experience, and of the quickness with which he saw a difficulty and j)roposed a remedy. The operation of passing the priming wires through water into the bursting charges of powder, was brought to per- fection by Captain Sandham, of the royal engineers. Hitherto tape had been wrapped all round the priming wires, and paid over the outside with waterproof composition, leaving the inside of the tapes, and the wires embraced by them, quite clean, " which formed two circular open joints, and therefore was rather a curious sort of connexion." But the improved arrange- ment consisted in adopting the " expedient of smearing over or saturating with sergeant-major Jones' waterproof com})osition, " ' Uuitcd Service Journal,' i. 1840, p. 74, " Ibul., 1840, p. 74. 1839.] UOYAI- SAlTKliS AND MINKItS. 34l» the wires themselves, as well as every other part of the other materials used in this junction, whether tape, thread, lienqt, twine, wooden plup^a, and cajts to prcviMit contact with the leaden pipe in which the priminpf nppuratus was inclosed, or canvas tops apj)lied over the woocUni cap which served to cement it to the outside of the cylinder containing,' the great charge." In the judicious use of that valuahle composition, very extra- ordinary proofs of its excellence afterwards came to light in the operations at Sjjithead." The 'Royal George,' a first-rate man-of-war of lOO gunx, was overset at Spithead June 28th, 1782,'" and for nearly sixty years, that leviathan wreck had heen lying in the roadstead, a danger to shipping. Several enterprising individuals had at- tempted or proposed to raise or remove it, hut with imavailing results. At length Colonel Pasley undertook the task, and in a few summers, by means of gunpowder, effected its entire demolition and removal. Many guns had heen ])reviously recovered, but the number still at the bottom was estimated in value at more than 5,000/. Under the auspices of the Admiralty, Colonel Pasley re- paired to Portsmouth fnmi Chatham with the necessary stores and a detachment of the corj)s, consisting of sergeant-major Jenkin Jones, one bugler, a clerk, and thirteen rank and file under the command of Qiptain M. AVilliams, of the corps, who was afterwards relieved by Lieutenant J. F. A. Symonds, royal engineers. The rank and file comprised a collar-maker and a cooper, with a proportion of carjienters, blacksmiths, and tinmen. After being removed from the 'Queen,' navy lighter on the " ' United Service Journal,' i. 1840, p. "(i. "The sergeant-major's compo- sition was simply piteh softened by bees'-wax and tallow. Ho had tried a great number of experiments for ascertaining the best sort of waterproof com- position for bags of gunpowder in 1632, when Hickford's fuses were first used by the corps at Chatham. He also at the same period discovered tlie means for imitating Hickford's fmcs in an efficient manner. Ilis imitntinn fnses, liow- ever, were not precisely the same, as Uicliford's fuses were evidently made by machinery."—' United Service Journal,' ii. 1839, p. 192-193. '" By this catastrophe. Admiral Kenipenfeldt and a crew of many hundreds of seamen, with nearly 100 women and 200 Jews, then on board, perished. — ' Haydn's Dates.' 350 HISTORY OP THE [1839. 20th August, to the ' Success,' frigate hulk, then anchored near the wreck, operations commenced on the 21st, and were '•in- tinued with diligence till the 4th November. They were then suspended till the return of the summer. During the service, the sappers, and the seamen, marines, &c., were divided into two squads, and attached to two lumps moored about 100 fathoms apjirt, with the MTeck between them. From these lumps the work was usually cairicd on. Each lump had its own diver. Lieutenant Symonds directed the oj)erations of one, and sergeant-major Jones the otiier. " Thus a friendly emulation took place between the whole of the men employed," each party working for the success of its own diver, " and the divers them- selves being no less anxious to surpass each other." " Two of the great explosions failed, but two succeeded, besides a vast number of si'naller ones, which shook the wreck and o])ened its sides and ele \red its decks. Tiie labour consequent on the success of the divers was immense, and the recovery of articles and guns gave j)romise of realizing more than sufficient to cover the outlay in carrying on the work. The more par- ticular duties of the saj)pers did not prevent them taking a full share of the labour at the capstan and tlie ropes. AVhen not em])loyed in the general duties of tlie operation, they wore con- fined to the performance of special ones ; such as preparing the various explosions, managing the v(/ltaic battery and apparatus, and lopairing the latter when needed. "They also repaired the diving-dresses, and did all the coopers', blacksmiths', and carpenters' work necessary, including the fitting up and occa- sioutal repairs to launches used for receiving the materials." In all these duties they were foiuul ])articularly useful."* When Mr. Dewar, the only bell-diver, was discharged, it became necessary to train volunteers to succeed him. Two men of the detachment readily offered to try the service. These were corporal David Harris and private ^ViHiam Ileid. On the '27th August, witli Colonel Pasley and I-ieutenant Sjmonds, they entered the bell, and twice were lowered, the second time with the intention of going down on the wreck ; but before they " ' United Service Journal,' i. 1S4(', p. Iii4. '* Ibid., i. 1840, p. .'ms. 1839.] UOYAL SAPl'EltS AND MINEHS. 351 had descended low enougii, a pleasure yacht having run foul of the lump from which the bell was being lowered, it was in con- sequence hauled up, as every man was wanted to assist in saving the yacht. The diving-bell was empl/yed a second time on the 4th Sep- tember, with lance-corporal Harris and private John Skelton, as the sub-marine o;ierators. When the vessel had descended about eight fiithons, the message-board and caution-line got entangled, and th ; divers were consequently hauled to the sur- face. A mishap of this kind would have discouraged some beginners, but spirited and willing, they only cared to succeed, and down again iliey went, reaching the bottom in little more than fonrU-en fathoms.- As, however, no less than two and a-hailfci't of water had entered the bell, it was rendered ineffica- cious for any useful result. Owing to 50 men, hardy seamoMi and marines from the ' Pique ' frigate, working the capstan p.nd machinery, the descent was accomplished in ten and a-iialf minutes, and the re-ascent in eight and a-lialf ; but when only 30 men were employed on the former occasion, the asce: *■, went through the insufferably tedious period of 27 minutes. After these trials, the diving-bell, which from its unwieldy weight required no less than forty-iiine men to be onij)loyed in various ways to raise it, was discarded and sent into I'ortsmouth dock- yard.'^ On the 5th September a Lirge wrought iron cylinder filled with powder to be fired against the wreck, was found to have a small leak in it. " This would have been of no importance, as only a few pounds of jwwder were thereby spoiled; but VM.en the whole of the powder was ordered to be enq)tied on' that the hole might oe repaired, unfortunately, the operation was carelessly executed," inasmuch as water which should have been poured into the cylinder was not done. \\ hon, therefore, private ('harles Brabant was afterwards employed in soldering a piece of tin over the hole, tiie powder still rcnaining in the cylinder blew up, and a f'raoruls. 7 2ii(I Cd in October, 1847. 1841.] ItOYAL SAPPEPS AND MIXEIiS. 3C5 LS41. Syria— lianilingatC^aifFii; Mount Can. lel — Cavo of Elijali; tpidoniic — {^olour- sei'^i'aiit lilack — Iiispoclion at Hcirout liy tlu' Seniskiri , return of the df- laoliiiieiit to lOiifilaiul — l^xjii'ditioii to the Niger — Mode! •'■■•••» — (iori — I'ever sets in; return of tln' expedition — Ser\ iees of the sappers attaclied to it — (\)rporal Edmonds and tlie elephant — and the Princess — Start'-serfreant's undress — Start' appointments — Wreek of tlie ' lioyal Georjie ' — Sergeant March —Sapper-divers — Curiosities — Under-water pay; means used to aid the divers -Speaking under water — Gallantry of private Skelton— Alarming accidents — Constitut'cnal unfitness for diving — Honndarj' sirvey in the state of Maine — Angmem.'tion to corps fc liernnula — Sandhurst; corporal Carlin's services — (^uariern aster-sergeant Eraser — Intrepidity of private Entwisllc— Colonel Pasley — Efliciency of the corps — Its conduct, i id im- policy of reducing its establishment — Sir John Jones's opinion of he sappers — And also the Rev. G. U. (ileig's. A romiox of tlie (Ictaclinient in Syria was removed from Verc to JafTa en tlie 11th January. About this time, lance-corporal Hugh Smith' accompanied Lieutenant Aldrich to Medjel. From the 23rd ^''cbrnary to the 12th April, three of the party from Acre assisted J^ientenants Aldrich and Syiiionds in the survey of Jerusalem and Sidon, lialtiiij>- on the route at Jericho, Nablous, and Safed. Sergeant IJlack was left in charge of the ri'storations at Acre ; but owing to the plague which had been so fatal to the royal niaivies, he was soon after removed with the remainder of the detachment to Jaffa, in the defensive occupation of which he and his men wen; engaged for about six weeks. The party then returned to IJeirout, and was occni)ied ' Was disclurged in October, If*.")!), and pensioned at Is. '.) /. a-day. Out of a service of tiiirteen years in the corps, he was eleven abroad, at (iibraltar, in Syi'ia, ana China. From the last slation he lelurned in a distressing sta'c- of eniacia'jon and weakness. 'I'her'', though a sergeant, the necessities of th. service rtM.'uircd that he should labour at llie anvil, and the skilfuliiw^o uT Ills work was s.tperi m- to anything tliai einild be procured at Hong Kong. 3ftC HISTORY OF THE [1841. in various contingent services ; such as repairing the billets ])rovide(l for the troops by the Ottoman government. Here the three men rejoined from Jerusalem and Sidon. All the ])arty was subjected to much inconvenience from the want of those essentials in barrack furniture which formed no part of the inventory of a Turkish soldier's accommodation ; and, to sup))ly the deficiency, the carpenters of the detachment made some tables, forms, and other indispcmsjible utensils. On the 23rd Ajiril twelve of the fea])pers sailed in the ' Phoenix ' for Caiffa, and in disembarking, under rain, the boat was swamped in a heavy surf. The men made the shore as best they could, but lost most of the public stores and their baggage. Before sunset they were tented on the beach, and, in a few days, the encampment was removed under ]M()unt Cannel,- there to await the cessation of the plague, and after- wards to repair again to Acre to strengthen the defences. It was at firet intended to take up a station near the convent on the mount, but that quarter was found to be in quarantine, on account of the plague being at Caiffa, only a few hundred yards off. No resource was left but to seek shelter mider canvas, which, in a country subject to endemics, was very inimical to health ; and that, combined with the circumstance of the i)arty being detached without a medical officer, might have added one more calamity to the ftital incidents of the campaign. A qua- rantine cordon was therefore formed around the encampment, and every means adojited to prevent fever, from contiguity or local miasma, appearing in the tents. The sappers now took their meals in the sjicred cave of I'llijah — a cool but ill- ventilated retreat. The water at the camj) was deleterious to health; but, alter the 21st .June, mountain spring-water, obtained three miles away, was brought for their use. In a country subject to plague and fever, a European holds his life by a precarious tenure : the detaeh- * St'O a ivpresei.tatidii ii' llii' ciieampnu'iit in the ' ProfVssional I'apci's, If.K.' vi., p. 22. This was tho iicilo allixcd to thi' first I'ditioii, l)ut tlie plate roronvd to is on so small a scale, it would need inoru than tho assistance of a powerful glass to discover the site of the tents. 1841.] ROYAL SAPPEES AND MINERS. 367 mcnt felt this, but bore up well, notwithstanding the cabsence of a medical officer. Dr. Zorab, a Turkish practitioner, made one or two professional visits to the party, and then Mr. Robertson, De])uty Inspector-deneral, voluntarily joined the camp from Reirout. Three weeks afterwards, he was relieved by Assistant- Surgeon Acton, R.N., who had scarcely commenced his duties when the fever attacked the party. The two men employed out- side the cordon were the first seized with the malady, and every man of the party was soon under treatment. In most of the eases the seizure was highly dangerous, nmt in forty-eight hours the strongest man was completely prostiate. It was not until the shelter of a building for the sufferers could be obtained that the skill of Dr. Acton was of any avail. Four of the men died, and the remainder were conveyed in the ' Stromboli,' on the 10th July, to Reiront. Two more were invalided to England, and the other six only regained convalescence after a long period of illness. Constantly moving alop'f the coast, end)arking and disem- barking the stores, made the duties of the detachment laborious ; and both colour-sergeant William Rlack ^ and second-corporal Henry Rrown * were promoted, in consequence of the efficient manner in which they executed those services, and for their zeal before the enemy. At one time, the engineer park in charge of the former consisted of 100,000 sand-bags with a proportional quantity of field implements and tools, and was never less than 72,000 sand-bags. He also issued commissariat stores to the whole camp. ' Was pensioned at 2s. a-Jay in Janiiaiy, 1851. In the corps he served nearly twenty-four years, of which period he waa seventeen and a-half abroad, at Corfu, the Kuplirates, Gibraltar, Syria, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. His great merits ol)tained for him the ^rant of an annuity of 1(7. a-year, and a silver medal, and an appointment as messenger to the cominamling royal engi- neer's office, in the London district. Tlirougli Lieutenant-Colonel Aldrich, his comniandina-ofiicer in Syria, he was also appointed a yeoman of the Queen's Guard. The enmluments derived by him from these different sources, amount- ing to about l(il7. a-year, with excellent quarters, are the hard and just earn- ings of a life full of vicissitude and devotion to the service. * Now a iiuarternuisler-scrgcant in the corps; and besides serving a second tour at Gibrallar, was present at the reduction of liomarsund and the siege of Sebastopol. Is in receipt of an annuity of \Ul. a-year, and wears live medals and a clasp for his active services. 368 HISTORY OF THE [1841. At Beirout the party was occasionally employed on the works, and furnished a guard for the station, in concert with the royal artillery. On the 1st December, the Seraskier, Selim Pacha, and Colonel Rose, conmianding the ex])edition, nispcctcd the detachment, jind expressed themselves in a flattering manner relative to their services in the country. The latter, iii orders, added his assnrance that he entertained the highest sense of their zeal and efficient services on all occasions ; and the Sultan awarded to each a medal in conmiemoration of the campaign.* From the ins])cction parade of the Seraskier, the detachment, reduced from twenty-two to fourteen men, embarked on board the 'Thunderer,' and landed at Malta on the 27th December, where they j)assed two months in the Forts of Manoel and St. Elmo, and landed at Woolwich from the ' Gorgon ' steamer on the 23rd March, 1H42. On the 20th Februai-y, one corporal and seven privates embarked with the expedition under the command of (-aptain Trotter, ll.N., to the Niger. Its object was to explore the source of the river, to introduce civilisation into Africa, and t^ prevail on the chiefs to extinguish slavery. The sappers were divided into two sections : one was added to tlie crew of the ' Albert ' steamer, and the other to the ' Wilberforce.' They had been specially taught at Chatham the mode of blasting rock under water, with a view to removing obstructions in the navigation of the streams of the Niger yet unsurveyed. Five were men of excellent character, but three were not in-eproach- able in point of sobriety. Tiie royal warrant sanctioning the formation of this special detachment is dated 7tli December, 1840, and the corj)s was thereby increased from 1200 to 1208 of all ranks. The party was armed with rifles and bayonet- SAords. Late in June the expedition reached Freetown, and, steaming along the coast, crossed the mouth of the Niger on the 13th August. After ])assing the Bight of Benin, the steamers ' Till' medals wcro c.//v«''', but wiishoil, at the expense of the wearers, with a proparatioii that pave thciii the aii])ean\iii.'e of ;/»/(/. In 1848, the Hritisli Go. veniniont awanleil thoni silver medals for the same campaign. 1841.] ROYAL SAPrEHS AND MINERS. 3G!) anchored ofF Ibu on the 26th ; and the king, Ohi, with the heir- apparent, Chikuna, and a vast retinue, visited the ' Albert.' On the 2nd September the expedition was off Iddah. To the king, or Attah of Egan-ah, a visit was paid by Captain Trotter. The sappers and seamen formed the guard of honour. Corporal Edmonds commanded, and he and all the men were grotesquely habited and decorated, to suit the barbaric taste of his majesty. Near the confluence of the rivers Niger and Tchadda were landed the wooden houses to form the model farm on Mount Stirling, j)urchascd from the King of Egarrah for 700,000 cowries. The Kroomen and seamen were the labourers in this service, and the sappers superintended the construction of the farm and the erection of the magnificent tent used in the Eglintoun tour- nament. The manipulation of the houses was jirepared in England, leaving nothing to do but to put the materials together. To do this effectually, some trivial details in wood and iron were made on the spot by the sappers. Private John Craig surveyed the island and accomplished his work with quickness ' I'c very narrow, crooked, and puzzling, and in many places ■• wide enough to allow two persons to j)ass each other To make \> "V, Captain Trotter would suddenly open his um- biella, and the natives, surprised at the novelty, would scamper ofH alarmed. VOL. I. 2 b 870 HISTORY OF THE [1841. Continuing the ascent, the ' Albert' passed Bczzani, Kinanii, and Egga, and by the 5th of October, the sick had so greatly increased, that the charge of the ship fell on one of the mates. The expedition now turned for the sea, and j)assing the con- fluence on the l)th, steamed down the river in its more navi- gable channels, and landed at Fernando Po on the 18th. There for about six weeks, the expiring expedition was stowed away in miserable quarters, and tlic sad rcnuiant re-embarking, put into Ascension, and returned to England in the autumn of 1842. All the sappers had been seized with the river fever, so called from its peculiarity. Some had severe relapses, but only two died — William Rabling at the confluence, on the shores of which he was interred, and William Moft'att, somewhere between the Niger and Ascension. The duties performed liy the detachment were in all respects the same as the marines, until the river Nigc^r was reached, when they acted as seamen ; but were never required to go aloft. Their chief services were rendered at the model farm. Corporal Edmonds was ship's corporal, and had charge of the after hold of the vessel containing the provisions of the officers. Whenever Captain Trotter, or any of the officers left the vessel for purposes of exploration, he always accompanied them as cox- swain, armed with a rifle and a full pouch of powdei'. Others of the party were also occasionally employed in this particular manner, and all, as their health pennitted, assisted by Kroomen, performed the last rites of sepulture on those fatal shores to the many dead. The special duty they were sent out to perform was not required of them, as nautical skill overcame the diffi- culties of the navigation without subaqueous blasting. While serving with the expedition, each sapper received double pay according to his rank, and free rations. Cor])oral Edmonds and private John Craig were specially noticed by Cajrtain Trotter. " Their steady, zealous conduct, even when sickness might have excuied them from duty, tended much to the good discipline of the ' Albert,' and merited," as the captain reported, " his best acknowledgments." The latter assisted with readiness, at all times, in some of the scientific observations. 1841.] nOYAL RAPPERS AND MINERS. 371 Above the conflrienco, corporal Edmonds* was out in the forest with Doctors M'William and Stangor, when suddenly turning round, he saw, approadiing from beliind a tree, a young elephant, wliicli was near to liim. In an instant he fired his rifle and the bullet ])ierced tlie animal in the head. Fearino- an attack by other elephants for this assault, tlu; gentlemen and the corporal hastened to the boats, but as none made their appearance, the party returned into the forest, when Edmonds, with a daring tliat bordered on rashness, rushed up to the enraged l)east and plunged his sword into its throat. The poor animal gave a few hoarse groans and expired. As trophies of this sanguiuaiy incident, Edmonds brought away its tusks, and Dr. M'William one of its feet. On the 24th of February, an undress frock coat was established for the start' sergeants of the corps. It was plain, without orna- ment of any kind, single-breasted, of dark Oxford mixture, with regimental buttons and Prussian collar. Tiie same undress is still worn ; but the colour has been changed from dark Oxford mixture to dark blue. — See Plate XVII., 1854. liy a commission dated 24th ^lay. Captain Henry Sandham was ajjpoiuted brigade-major in the room of Major Edward Matson, promoted to be assistant adjutant-general to the royal engineers. The latter officer had for many years been attached to the corps, and never did its character stand higher than under his conniiand. No means did he leave untried to elevate its ranks, and raise it in jjublic estimation. lie was a dis- ° All anecdote may be given of this non-commissioned officer. One of tlie princesses of Iddali conceiving a liking for Edmonds, who was a handsome, dark-complexioned man, with a brilliant black eye, solicited the king, her father, to beg his retention there. Captain Trotter consented to let the corpo- ral remain until the return of the expedition. Edmonds was not averse to the arrangement ]irovided he was permitted to have with him a comrade from the 'Albert.' This, however, was not conceded, and the corporal rejoined his ship ; but before doing so, the love-stricken princess contrived not to part with her paramour without easing him of his silk handkerchief! — to keep, perhaps, in remembrance of the interesting feeling he had iinw ittingly awakened in the royal breast. Edmonds served two stations, at ]3eriniida and Gibraltar, became a sergeant, and, on his discharge in 1854, was appointed foreman of works under the Inspector-General of Prisons in the convict establishment at Portland. 2 n2 372 HISTORY OF THE [1841. ciplinarian in the right sense of the word, but in enforcing his orders, he always evinced such a just measure of mild con- sideration, that it was difficult to discover the rigidity with which he really acted. So much had he gained the gratitude of the corps, that the non-commissioned ofhcers at head-quarters respectfully solicited he would sit to an eminent artist for his portrait. One hundred pounds was the sum intended to be expended, if necessary, in its execution ; but as the rules of the service seemed to be opposed to such a testimonial, the jNIajor felt it to be his duty to decline the honour. Early in May, sergeant-major Jones and twenty-four rank and file proceeded to Spithead to resume the operations against the wreck of the ' Royal George.' This was the third season of their employment under the Admiralty ; and Lieut. G. l\. Hutchinson, U.E , was placed in executive command of the party. The Siime round of duties and toil): which marked their previous service at the wreck, were repeated with but little variation of detail this season. They were constantly on board ship, or employed in boats or lighters attending to the general business of the wreck, and often exposed to gales and storms, amid difficulty and peril, emulated in their coolness and exer- tions the weather-beaten seamen engaged for the service. All the artificers' work of every kind was executed by them. They were also entrusted with the entire management of the voltaic battery and explosions, and for a j)ortion of the time, the wliole of the helmet-diving devolved upon them. " Throughout the operations," writes (Jolonel Pasley, " they were of the greatest service by their zeal and exertions." The season closed on the 29th October, and the detachment retured again to Chatham. Of individuals, Colonel Pasley makes honourable mention of the following : Sergeant-major Jones, for his able and zealous assistance to Lieut. Hutchinson in the management of the operations and preserving the discipline of the men. Sergeant Samuel March was very useful in special duties of importance ; and his drawings and sketches of several hundred >, 1841.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 878 interesting relics and detached portions of the wreck were well executed.' ('orporal David Harris, lance-corporals Richard P. Jones and John Rae, and jmvates John Skelton, John Williams, and Roderick Cameron, made their services apparent in the duty of diving ; and several others, particularly privates James Anderson, James Jago, and Alexander M'Alpine, promised well. Of these second-rate divers Anderson was so far advanced that besides slinging numerous timbers, he probed his way to the dreary bottom of the ship and sent up 18 feet of the keelson. The successful exertions of the whole party attracted admiration, and an immense pile of about 18,()00 cubic feet, or 372 loads of timber, got up from the wreck in the summer, was deposited in Portsmouth dockyard, chiefly through their exertions. The divers were six or seven hours a day, and sometimes more, under water, at a depth of sixty or seventy feet ; and so skil- fully had they learned to economize time and save labour, that all sent up their bundles of staves, casks, or timber, as closely packed together, as a woodman would make uj) Lis fanjots in ' Sergeant March was two seasons at Spitliead. Many of the sketches of the wreck were executed by him with the assistance of the camera lueida, kindly lent for the purpose by the late Captain IJasil Hall, K.N., from whom he received much useful instruction. Almost the wliule of his service has been passed in the professional office of the director of the royal engineer establish- ment at Chatham, in which, either as a draughtsman or a confidential leading clerk, he has always been found, from his attainments and constitutional energy of mind and body, efficient and valuable. From time to time he has drawn the plates forming the architectural course of the study of the junior officers of the corps and the Kiist India Company's engineers, and also the plans and other drawings and projects comprised in the military branch of the course. He is an excellent colourist, and has a good conception of light and shade. As an artist in water-colours, lie posses es undoubted talent and merit. Sergeant March is moreover an intellectual man and well informed. His controversial letters in reply to the calumnious attacks on the royal engineer establish- ment at Chatliam have been remarked for their honesty and boldness ; and his series of communications in the ' United Service Gazette,' in answer to the forcible animadversions of the celebrated 'Kmeritus' in the 'Times,' con- cerning Ordnance finance, werj not only well and truthfully written, but deserve for their vigour and appositeness as prominent a place in the columns of the ' Times,' as the conmiunications of the more favoured 'Emeritus.' This non-commissioned officer is now quartermaster-sergeant of the corps at Chatham. 374 HISTORY Ol-' 'I'llK [1841. the open air. In one haul, corporal Jonea sent up fifty-eight such pieces lasiied toi^ctlior, and corporal Harris ninety-one I Only one professional civil diver wa-s employed in concert with them for about half the season ; and of the five puns recovered, two brass 2'l-i)ounders, the most valuable of the whole, and an iron 32-pouniler, were got u[) by corporal Harris. This non- commissioned officer was a most confident and resolute diver, and in Siebe's dress, repeatedly plum into the sea, head fore- most, for exi)eriment. However sate might have been the ap])aratus, it required a bold spirit to make the first essay. Lance-corporal Jones, from his su|)erior intelligence, rendered himself eminently useful. He was the first to get to the bottom of the wreck ; and to ])rove his title to the honour, sent up 13 feet of the kec'l." The larboard side, which leaned over when the vessel sunk, had fallen to pieces and was buried in the mud. This was the most troublesome jjart of the work ; and corporal Jones, by tact and pereeverance, after removing the timbers on that side, got uj) 300 superficial feet of outside planking covered with copper, under which he found the original ground on which the larboard bilge rested. His exertions were innnense, and the huge pile he recovered, w;i^ increased by several tons of iron ballast slung by him. Corporal Harris was no less successful in reaching jilaces hitherto untouched, for he wormed his way down to the floor timbers, found the lee side of the wreck, and came in contact with another foundered ship of some magnitude, from which he tore a couple of timbers and sent them aloft. This discovery was due to an unusual mode of descent in which Harris engaged. He went down from the yawl by the sweeps and was stopped in his course by the unknown wreck. On re-ascending he became entangled in the sweeps and the buoy-line, without, however, experiencing any inconvenience beyond the extra exertion of disengaging himself from their meshes. The curiosities obtained this season were in chief part sent up by Corporal Harris, and though intrinsically trifling, were ' Three feet of the heel of it, with clamps attached, had been recovered in the previous year by George Hall the civil diver. ROYAL SAI'l'KRS AND MINKHS. 37a 1841.] regarded with iiitiiiitely more relish than the huge masses whieh made the wliarf jjroaii with their weijrht. Nearly the first article recovered was a human skull — sad relic of that catas- tro])he which cngiiH'ed in a moment so many sonls : then canio n cumbersome nmsk(!t with some fragments of arms that might have done honourable service against the foe. Not the least interesting was a stick of sealing-wax with its Dutch adver- tisement, which translated announced its qualities in these recommendatory tenns — " I'ine, well burning, fast holding sealing-wax." Skelton foinid a dog-collar inscribed with the name of " Thomas Little. Victory. 17!Sl." Tlie little favourite, no doubt, went down with its young uia.-ter, who was a mid- shipman on board the ill-fated ' Hoy.'il George.' Singular that sixty years after, this simple collar should be dug from the depths, to become a mournful souvenir of its perished owner. Professional divers during the season could not be obtained? unless at a cost each, sufficient to pay four or five military divers. The latt' , i)aid by the tide, usually earned three or four times as nn.ch as the regvdar working pay of the corps, and their success-ful exertions sn])])licd work for about 100 men, who were daily emj)l()yed in removing the timbers, ginis, bal- la?t, &c. slung by them. To aid the divers in their labours, large rakes and half-anchor creepers were drawn over the shoal in which the remains of the wreck were lying, by which means much of the mud was han-owed up and cleared away. The timbers of the wreck were thus somewhat exjjoscd, and five, and sometimes six sapper-divers were down at a tide, forcing their way through its dangerous tracks, and sending above its pon- derous fragments. In the course of the season, corporal Jones and ])rivate Skelton ascertained a curious fact before unknown in the annals of diving. They met at the bottom, and to their surprise discovered, when standing close together, they could hear each otlu!r speak ; but the knowledge thus obtained could not be turned to advantage, as the continued effort to sj)eak loudly, exhausted their powers and rendered them unable to 370 HISTORY OF THE [1841. hold a oonnocted conversation." Skclton also mot George Ilall iii t'.ie wreck, to whom lie introduced himself in a way sufR- cie itly courteous for divers, hy tapping the clwf on the helmet wi It his iron pri'vCi. J •ivat': oKelton, as on former occasions, made himself con- spicuous hy his skill and diligence as an artificer and his tact as a diver ; and in addition, this season, his gallantry led him to phmge into the sea to save a hoy who had fallen overhoard, and his father who jumped after him, neither of whom could sw im. As the tide was running very strong, Skelton, with great judg- ment, tied a line round his hody, which he made fast to the stern of the ' Success ' frigate, and then jumped into the sea ; hut hefore he reached the drowning hoy and his parent, a hoat quickly came to hand and saved them. Alarming accidents, none of which fortunately proved fatal, occurred to lance-corporal Jones, and privates Skelton and (Cameron. Corjjoral Jones had his mouth crushed and some of his front teeth hroken hy an iron dog, which he had attached to a hull rope hearing a heavy strain, slipping from its hold and striking him violently under the helmet, lie was at the time endeavouring to move a j)iece of timher from the load, when a pig of iron hallast, weighing ahout three hundred weight, got dislodged and fell upon his helmet. Had not his head been thus protected, he would have been killed on the spot, for it made an indentation in the metal as large as the ])alm of one's hand, and nearly an inch deep. At another time, a large floor timber, which resisted many eiforts to sling it, was at last in a fair way of reaching the deck, but on heaving on the bull rojjc, the chain flew off with violence, and struck Jones a blow on the hand, laying bare one of his fingers to the bone. Such was his spirit, however, he remained at the work, though the nmtilatcd limb might readily have excused him from further duty. Anderson, busy at work over the wTcck, lost all idea of time, " When corporal Jones first heard the voice, Skelton was singing, — " Bright, bright are the huams of the morning sky, And sweet are the dews the red blossoms sip." This simple incident snfficienlly shows the confidence and coolness of the diver in so novel and hazardous a duty. 1841. ItOYAF- SAPPKHS AND MINERS. 877 and roniainod below inipnulciitly lonjr. ^[eanwliile the tide In'jtfan to umi swiftly, and, losinjj his laddor which was fixed on tlu! larb( ird side of the linii]), ho was carried under it, and came ii|) at the starboard side. The man attendinlled, the so\n'ces of the streams in its track, and recording su< n topographical niinutia! of a ])ar- ticular character as were desirable to elucidate the duties and objects of the enterprise. (Jn the 21th October, I'orporal jNIcQueen sjiiled from Quebec i'irn()r of the colony, in consequence of the impracticability of obtaining artificers fimong the civil ])opulation of the recinired competency to carry on the works. It did not, however, reach tlu; station — where one company was already eni))loyed — until the 2iid April, 1842. The (juart('rm;'.ster-s('r<:caut was a])pointe(l for d'^y at Cliat- liani, and sergeant Thomas J'raser was promoted to the rank.'* Private Ilem-y i-lntwistle distinguished himself on the 30th August, l!S41, at ))ontoon practice, by jjlunging into the rapid stn -im of the Medway near Rochester Bridac, and at innninent person; 1 risk, rescuing from drowning ])rivate Sanuiel Turner of the corps, who had fallen overboard and was unable to swim. His courage on this occasion gained the admiration of the Royal] lumane Society, which awarded him a silver medallion a''(;onipanied by a vellum certificate, recording the ])articulars of his intrepidity, signed by the Duke of Northumberland.'' The detachments at Sandiuirst during tlie year gn-atly ex- erted themselves iu the tield-work instruction, and returned to the corps receiving much praise for their zeal and good con- dutt. Corporal .Tolni C'arlin was in charge of both jiarties, and was extremely useful. In the spring term he skilfully ])repared the ajijjaratus for a series of sulmcpieous explosions by the voltaic battery;" and, at the autunm examination, the rafts " Kraser was a siicccssfnl iiKidclltM-, and altliimfih a carpi'iitci- b)- trade, made himself useful as a wood eniiravtr Manv nf the wood-euls in Colonel Pasley's ' Piaetieal Opeiatioiis of a Siege, were exeeuted In him, and although thej- exhibit but little artistic merit, they yet atl'ord scope to show how he adapt.'d himself to eireumstances. lie also assisted in the task of engraving the most ditlicnlt of the plates to the ' ArehiteeUiral Course.' None of his works in this line betray any ambition, but his models were put out of band in a skilful and workmanlike manner. As a whole, he Mas a man of singular siniidieily. In .luly, ISl'.i, he was pensioned at '2i. :itl. aday, and retiring to Kiloelninagan, settled down as a farmer. " liecanie a sergeant, and after serving at Corfu and China, was employed in the expedition under Lord Haglan to Turkey, liulgaiia, and the Crimea, where, from disea.se eonlracted in the trenehes iu front of Sebastopol, he died ■.u eanip before the eonelnsion of the siege. i* ' I'nited Service .lourual, ii., 1841, p. \iiu. 380 HISTORY OF THE 1841. and bridges exhibited on the laltes and canals were ronstrncted by him and his i)arty. These consisted of rafts of rough timber and bridtres upon various principles, such as floating, suspension, and trestle ; also sj)ars heavily loaded at one i iid to act as levers, and others interlaced upon a system of mutual pressure. In carrying out these services corporal Carlin was honourably noticed, " as a non-commissioned officer of much merit and iiigeimity."'^ Corporal John ("anieron was also mentioned in the Governor's reports for his activity and ability, and for having executed with great neatness a quantity of sod revetments for the scar])s of the tield-works. (.'oloiiel Pasley was removed from the appointment of director of the royal engineer establislnnent at Chatham in Novend)er, 1841, on promotion to the rank of ^lajor-Cieneral.'" Nearly thirty years he had held the office, and fulfilled its various func- tions with a genius, comi)osure, and success, that no successor can ever hope to siu'pass. To him the coi'j)s is largely indebted for that military efficiency which has characterized its j)rog;-ess since 1812. Diligently superintending its practical exercise in all the operations of a siege, as well as in mining, pontooning, and bridge-making, and in the numerous other essential details of the lield establishment, lie made the corj)s fully ecjual to the prosecution of any service in which its assistance might be re- quired. Some well-meaning officers of high rank did not see the necessity of training the corps in tli(!j)rincipl('s of elementary fortification,'" but Colonel Pasley finally overcame their honest scruples by earnest argument, lie not only gained this con- cession, but was ])ermitted to teach the corps the ( 1 incntary prin('i])lcs of geometry and plan-drawing; and ultimately, so extensive and complete luwl his system become, that some '■' ' Uiiitc'd Service .louriial,' iii.. 1841, p. :>(>:]. ('arliii lucanu' a coUmr-sorgeaut, anil p''ior to liis discharge lunl served at (liliraltar and Malta, Turkey and the Crimea. When at I'ortsniDnth, he received I'lmn Lord Frederick I'itzclareiice a Ki)ld pen and engineerini^ pencil-case, in return "for his most useful services in carryiufr out instruction in musketry, in which he proved himself to he ex- ccedinf^ly clever in calculations of a rather pn/zling nature, and to he a most zealous, active, and painstaking uon-conimissioned oflieer." '" '1 he names of the succeeding directors of tlie royal engineer estahlishiuent are given in the Appendix III. '' ' Military I'olicy." 1841. ROYAL SArPERS AND MIXERS. 381 liuiKlreds of non-commissioned officers and men passed from his schools, as surveyors and draughtsmen, to the survey of Ireland. As a disciplinarian he was rigid ; and in exa. iing from all under his command that obedience, attention, and punctuality which were the characteristics of his own laborious career, he was blind to that partiality or favouritism which could cover the indiscretion of one offender and punish that of another. Here it mcy be right to show what was the public opinic . of the corps at'his period, as contrasted with its state at the com- mencement of the Peninsular war, and to whom its improved organization and ])erfect efficiency were chiefly attributed. " With resj)ect to our engineer establishment, it would pcrliaps be difficult to name any occasion oii whicii a tnodeni European army took the field so utterly destitute of efficient means for conducting siege operations as were tlie British troops at the opening of the last war. At this moment, on the contrary, no army in tiie world possesses engineer officers and soldiers better instructed in all tlu-t relates to the science and j)ractice of this bi'anch of the service. We liave heard one of the most able and most experienced of those officers xere;ses on the Med- way have likewise given them tlit; cpialitics of excellent jion- toneers." '* Another extract from the same journal, relative to the con- duct of the corj)s and the inniolicy of the reductions which have taken i)lace in its numbers since the return of the army of '" 'United Sorvici' Jimiiial,' i., lSl:i, \\[t. Jii, 27. IIISTOIIY OF TIIK [1841. occupation from France in 1818, should not be suppressed : — " The reductions in the sappers and miners since the war are nnicli to he rcfrretted ; and it wouhl bo more wise to orfjanize tliem equividontly to two battalin of ciffht companies. They are a description of troops invaluable in every resj)ect, — being as soldierlike, and well trained ii. the duties of infantry, as the best regiments of that arm, and therefore ecjually available for all military services in j^^arrisons and quarters ; while their qualities as artificers are by no means confined to admirable proficiency in their pro])er busiiie^^s as ouiiineer-soldiers, in th(! management of tlie jiontoon-train and tlie conduct of siege operations. Their exemplary conduct offers an illustration of a principle too nuich neglected in the discipline of modern armies — that to find constant and wholesome occupation fi.i trooj)s, as indeed for mankind in every situation, is the best security both fir hapi)iness and good order But in the case of this engineer cor])s, apart from t'le important object of keeping up an efficient body for those pec^uliar duties of their arm in the field, whicli recjuire a regular course of practical education, we are convinced it would be found true economy to increase ifh force fortiie repair and maintenance of the numerous fortifications in eviM-y quarter of our colonial enq)ire." '" This perhaps is the fittest place to introduce a glowing testi- mony to the ctu'ps, jienned by one well ac(iu;iinted with its merits and defects, and too impartial to appinid his name to any but a falthfid record. " Indeed,"' writes Sir John Jones, "justice requires it to be said, that these men, whether em- ployed on brilliant ni.r.ti"' «(-rvices, or engaged in tlie more humble duties of their calling, ; unci' under the viM'tical sun of the tropics, or in the frozen regions of the north, invaiiably conduct themselves as good soldiers ; and by tlu'ir bravery, their industry, or their ac(iuirenii'rt<, amply repay the trouble and exjjense of their formation and instruction.""'"' Nor should the testimony of the chaplain-general, the IJcv. G. R. CJleia; bi> omitted. Unconnected as he is witli the royal I" Tiiiliil Si'r\i«' .limnial,' i., 18(1, p. 44:). "" Jones's ' Sieges,' ii. p. .'i'Jl, ami edit. ' 1841.] liOYAL SAPPEnS AND MINERS. 383 sappers and miners, his opinion lias been formed withont the prejudice of interested feelings. In taking a hird's-eye retro- S])ect of the formation and growth of sonu' of onr military institutions, he thus speaks of the corps : '' Besides the infantry, cavalry and artillery, of which the regular army was composed, and the cor})s of engineers, coeval with the latter, there sprang up during the war of the French Revolution other descrijjtions of force, which proved eminently useful each in its own depart- ment, and of the composition of which a few words will suffice to give an account. Fir^t, the avtiticers as they were called, that is to say, the body of men trained to the exercise of me- chanical arts, such as carjjcntry, liricklaying, bridgemaking, and so forth, which in all ages seem to have attended on a Ihitish army in the field, became the royal sa])pers and miners, whose services, on many trying occasions, ])rovcd eminently useful, and who still do their duty cheerfully and satisfactorily in every (piarter of the globe. During the late war, they were com- manded under the officers of engineers, by a body of officers who took no higher rank than that of lieutenant, and consisted entirely of good men, to whom their merits had earned ccmi- missions. Their education, carried on at Woolwich and Chatham, trained them to act in the field as guides and directors to all working parties, whether the business in hand might be the construction of a bridge, the throwing nj) of field works, or the conduct of a siege. N\'hatever the engineer officers required the troops to do was exj)lained to a party of sappers, who, taking' each his separate charge, showi'd the soldiers of the lint; both the sort of work that was re(piired of them, and the best and readiest method of performing it. The regiment of sap])ers was the growth of the latter years of the contest, after tin; British army iiad fairly thro vn itself into the gn^at arena of continental warfare, and proved so useful, that while men wondcri'd how an army e\er could have; been accounted complete without this a])])endai;e. the idea of dis- pensmg with it in any time to come, seems never to have arisen iu the minds of the most economical." '' " (tleig's ' Mil. Hist.,' oli. xxvii., pp. -JSii, iS7. 384 HISTORY OF Tin-: [1842, 1842. Party to Natal — The march — Action at C'ongella — Hocrs attack the camp — Then besiege it — Sortie on llic Hoers' trenches — Incidents — Privations — ("onduct of the detaclnnent; courageous liearing of sergeant Young — Ser- vices of the ])arty after liostilities liad ceased — Detachment to the Falliland Islands — Landing— t'iianicter of the country — Services of the party — Its movements; and amusements — Professor Airy"s opinion of the corps- Fire at Woolwich; its consequences — Wreck of the ' Hoyal George' — Classiflca- tion of the divers — (^orporal Harris's exertions in removing the wreck of the ' Perdita' mooring ligliter — Assists an unsuccessful comrade — DiHicul- ties in recoviri[ig the pig-inm ballast — Adventure witli Mr. Cussell's lighter —Isolation of Jones at the bottom — Annoyed by the presence of a human body ; Harris, less sensitive, captures it — The keel — Accidents— Conflict be- tween t"o rival divers — (^onduct of the sappers employed in the operations — Deniolilion of beacons at BIythe Sand, Shcerness — Testimonial to sergeant- major Jones for his services in connection with it. In .Tamiary, 1842, a small force under tlie (•oinniaiul of Captain Sinitli, 27th refj;iitieiit, was sent to the I ingiizi, ahout ten mik-s poutli of the Uniziinvoolwo, to watcli the movements of the ]?oers, who had attacked a iitltive cliief in alliance with the colonial oovcniineiit. With this I'ovce was (hitaclied a jtarty of eight royal sappers and miners tnider Lieutenant C. H. (lihh of the enoinem's. There tlie exi)edition was eMi'aMi|)i'd for a season, when a portion of it, on the 31st March, (jnitted tiie Uintrazi for Natal, taking with them seventy wheeled carriages and luimerous oxen. The sappers took the li>ad of the colunni to remove uhstructlons on the route. Tht; force comprised about 2 50. www, cluvtl^ \\{ the 2J\\\ veailUVUt, !Hk\ u 1'«'W ai'til- lerymen. , In the journey to Natal, a distance of more than fiOO miles, tl\t>, greatest diilicnltics were encountered. Much of the ground traversed was very marslty. Hivulets and larger streams were HO much incre«V«wl h) the rains tiiat tlie hroken drifts lu'nms 1842.] ROYAL RAri'EHS AXD MINKHS. 385 them had frequently to be renewed or ropairod after one or two wajrgons liad crossed. Several very steep hills had to he surmounted, one of which was the Uniterda, over which the hunter and trader had never attcnijited to take his wagnron without first dismantlinj^ it, and then carrying it u]) or down. U]) tliis rugged hill, formed of huge houlders of granite im- hedded in a swamp, a rough road was ('(mstrncted : and hy putting three spans of oxen — thirty-six bullocks — to each wag- gon, all, after three days' heavy labour and fatigue, were got to the summit. Constantly in their progres.-- they had to improve the roads, to cut through wood and Imsh, to toil along the sand on the shore, and ocx-asionally, harnessing themselves with ropes, drag the unwieldy train along wild ])asses and almost im))enetrable tracts of fastness. ^Vt length, after a most harassing march of six weeks, of straining energy and arduous exertion, having crossed one hundred and seventy-two rivern and streams, nuich of the journey under violent rain, and often sleeping at night on the swampy ground, the troops reached Natal on the 3rd May, and encamped at the head of the bay ; from whence they afterwards removed to the; Itafa Amalinde, where they intrenched themselves, and placed beyond the paraj)et, for additional protection, the waggons which accom- panied tlie force. Tlie Iliii'Ps were opposed to the presence of the troops, and desired llieiii to quit the country. Tiiis wa." unheeded by the English eonnnandant, and hostilities nt once commenced. On the niglit of the 2.'h'd Afny, (^aptain Smith, in eoinmand of a portion of iiis force, left tlie camp and attacked the Hoers at ('ongelln, taking with hiiu seven sa])])ers and miners, armed and carrying tools. When the enemy o])ened fire, the troops were in fil(! up to their knees in water. Private BiU'rldge fired the first ^hot in tiii' eugageuuMit. jNIorc than an iimir the con- tost continued witliout any one being able to take a direct aim ; and, wlieu the troojis connnenced th(> retreat, they were up to thcnr armpits in water. Here a sergeant of the 27th was shot, who would have been carried away in the receding tide, had not sergeant Young with two of the sappers, la-ought him across the vol,. I, 2 c 380 IITRTOKY OF THE ri842. hay to tlu> caiu]), whtM'o his renijiiiis wore iiiterretl. Private William Hiirridge was wouiulod in tlie knee. On regaininj,' the eauip all were served out with fres-li aniinu- nitioii, and, when about to lie down, the Boers attacked the position and only retired at daylight in the morning. During the action half of the pole of the sajjpers' tent was carried away by a shot, aud the waggon in their front was pierced by eleven balls. Private lliehard Tibbs on this occasion received three balls in his clothes and was wounded. Soon afterwards (iJlst May) the Boers, comprising a force of about 1200 men and nine guns, conmienced to besiege the camp. This they continued with vigour till the 2l)th June, when a reinforcement having reached the cantonment from the frontier, hostilities ceased. Throughout the operations the eight sap])ers were employed superintending the execution of such works as the circumstances of the siege rendered indis])ensable. These included a redoubt, to preserve the conununication with the port and village, and a magazine. Tiiey al.-^o assisted in constructing a large kraal of stakes and abattis, for the safety of the cattle. The waggons were likewise drawn closer in, to make the defence more compact ; and from a trtnich, dug on the inside, the earth was thrown under the body of the waggons, which were thus imbedded in the parapet. By this means the troops were enabled to fire over the parapet and iniderneath the bed of the waggons ; and by leaving traverses in the line of trench, the camp was protected from enfilade. Daily the sappers were occupied in repairing the earth-works, and almost unassisted, built a battery for an 18-pounder gun in the south angle of the iiitrenchmcnt. Sergeant Young, under Lieutenant Gibb, was the executive non-connnissioned officer in conducting the field-works, and twice every day he went round the trenches, reported what was nece:rsary to strengthen the defences, and carried out the directions of his officer. On the night of the 8th June, serg(;aut Young and three sappers carrying their arms and intrenching tools, accompanied the i-ortic to the BfUM's' trenches under Lieutenant Irwin, 27th n>sximent. The enemy retreated and the trenches were de- ,1 11 the 1842. liOYAF- SAITEDS AND MINT.US. 387 \ de- stroyed. On tlio 18th following tlirce i-n])|i('rs wore prevent in ii .second sortie under Lieutenant Moleswortli of the 27t!i, niid led the column to the points of attack. The eoiifiiet wa.s short hut tierce, and the troops returned to the ca:ni) with the loss of one officer and tln'i;e irien killed, and four wounded. Ainoni' the latter was private Uicliard Til)l)s of the sappers. Dnrinjj the sie^e, j)rivat(< John Ilowatson liad made some wooden cradles for snr-pound shot pas.'^ed w ithiu a few inches of their heads and whizzed by tlio rest of the j)arty in the trench. When Lieutenant Gibb's servant was killed, corporal Deary and private Burridgo buried lihn outside the waggons, and the melancholy service was not accomplished without much daring and danger. j\s the siege progressed provisions became scarce and the troop.s were put on the smallest possible allowance. Horses were killed and their tlesh made into biltong. Tiiis, with a little beef, formed the daily rc})ast of tlu; canij) ; and in lieu of meal and biscuit, ground oats were issued. Upon this fare it was impossible to hold out more than fourteen days, but a strong reinforcement arrived on the 'H'Ah June, and effecting a landing, the Boers retreated with loss and liaste from the beach and the trenches, and the siege terminated. With the relief were three men of the sappers, wlio increased the strength of the Natal party to eleven of all ranks.' Lieutenant (iibb in his reptn't to head-quarters praised sergeant Young, corporal Deary, and the detachment for their iLsefulness, alacrity, and cheerfulness ; and ( 'ai)tain Smith in comnumd, eulogized them for their luiiform activity and readi- ness of resource in the presence of the enemy. When quitting Natal, the latter officer favoured sergeant Young with a testimonial in the following terms : " As I am about to relinquish the command, I am desirous to bear testimony to the high and irreproachable character of sergeant Young of the I Much of the above iiifoniiiition is taken from t'uptaiii Giiib's ' Mcmoninda 111 ('(irps Papers/ i., pp. ^.'SD-SoS. 2 1^ 2 388 insTOUY OF TIIF [1842. royal sappors and miners. Ilavinj^ accompaniod tlie expedition from the Umj^azi to Natal early in 1H42, and sliared in all its subsequent dan<^ers and privations, 1 cannot s])eak too liif^lily of his courage and self-possession, and his unwearied zeal in the perfornianet! of his various and arduous duties. IIi; was always at his ])ost and never found wantinjj ; and I therefore 1h'. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. O #^ M/.. u. If. 1.0 I.I 1^128 12.5 |50 ■^~ M^H !!• |A£ ill 2.0 12.2 6" 1.8 11.25 il.4 IIIIII.6 vl v: v :p^ Photographic Sdences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN jfREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 300 HISTORY OF THE [.1842. built of dry stone with an oval dome and approached by stone steps. Tor purposes of correction, an oven built by the French settlers u: der Bougainville, about 17G0, the oldest building in the group, was used for the confinement of refractory characters. The detachment, in addition to its other duties, served as the j)olice of the settlement, and sergeant Hcarnden was appointed chief constable. Much of the time of the men was spent in boat service to Long Island and other places to get tussack, oxen, horses, peat, &c. The last was obtained in large quantities and stacked for winter fuel. Occasionally a few were out on reconnoitring excursions examining portions of the country, and surveying the islands and patches of land of colonial interest. In this service corporal \Villiam Richardson, who was a surveyor and mathematician, was the most conspicuous. A\'hen opportunity ])ennitted, some were employed quarrying stone, repairing landing-places, making roads, and improving the paths and approaches to the settlement. To add to the diversity of their duties, a few were sometimes occupied in marking out allot- ments and indicating the ])asses or routes across bogs and lagoons by means of poles. The first pole was j)laced on the loftiest hill between Port Louis and Saint Salvador, which his Excellency, in honour of his sergeant, named Hcarnden Hill. In short the men were compelled to turn their hands to any- thing, for an abandoned and desolate settlement rendered numerous services essential for the convenience and comfort of the settlers. Sergeant Hearnden was clerk of the works, and also filled with energy and ability a number of other offices of colonial necessity.'' Frequently he was detached to considerable distiuices, and his reports upon the aspects and capabilities of particular sites and places were invariably received with approbation and his suggestions carried out. Sections of the detachment were often sent on duty to Long * Such as auctioneer, excise-offlccr, &c. In carrying on the former duty, among his many sales, he disposed of the ' Melville ' schooner, a vessel be- longing to four partners, obtaining for it, from one of the partners, only 720 dollars ! This may be taken as a fair specimen of the wealth of the colonists. 1842.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 301 Island, Green Island, Salvador Bay, Johnson's Harbour, Port William, &c. Two or three times the men sent to Long Island could not return to the location, as the boats on each occasion were, by a driving gale, dashed back on the beach, and the men exposed through the weary night to the pelting storm- Once under such circumstances the party was without food for twenty-three hours. Two men detached to Jackson's Harbour, when returning homo, were caught in a snow-storm and with great difficulty reached the untenable hut at Fish- house Creek. There, benumbed and fatigued, they sought shelter for the night, being unable to proceed further or to assist themselves. To relieve the monotony of their public duties, the men were permitted to follow any sport which their inclination suggested. Boating, hunting,'' shooting, fishing, and angling, were among the varieties of their divei'sions. Game was plentiful, and the men usually returned from their excursions laden with rabbits, geese, and birds of different form and plumage. In fishing, the party at one time in a single haul, caught at Fish- house (Jreek thirteen hundred weight of mullet. The Governor, too, was ever ready to devise means to promote their amusement and comfort, and on one occasion so pleased was he with their general good conduct and exertions, that he honoured them with an excellent dinner from bis own purse and shared himself in the festivities. ^^"ith the view of verifying the reported peculiarity of the tides at Southampton, Professor Airy, in February, proceeded thither to examine the rise and fall of the water. Some non- commissioned officers and privates were ])laced by Colonel (voll)y at his disposal for this purpose, who prepared and fixed the vertical scale of feet and inches, and kept a watch uj)on the general accuracy of the observed tides. "I was," says the Professor, " extremely glad to avail myself of this offer, for I ' AH had liorses, ns travdlinp on liorsolinck was frequently necessary. The Governor presented one, witli harness complete, to serpeant Ilearnden, The men made tliemselves very expert in the management of horses, and throwing aside the rude thongs of raw hide hy which they were controlled, quickly adapted the draught-horses to the use of artillery harness and collars. HISTORY OF THE [1842. believe that a more intelligent and faithful body of men does not exist than tlie sappers employed on the trigonometrical survey ; and I know well the advantage of employing upon a tedious business like this, a set of regular service men stationed on the spot."" On the 19tli March about 150 non-commissioned officers and men of the corps at Woolwich under Lieutenant F. A. Yorke, R.E., were present in the night at a fire, which burnt the ' Bull ' tavern to the ground.' The sappers were the first to render assistance and to secure from destruction much of the property." By the falling of the princijKil wall of the building eighteen persons were severely crushed and wounded, six of whom were privates of the corps. Private Malcolm Campbell, one of the injured, rescued the landlord, Mr. Boyd, from being burnt to death. The latter in a state of great bewilderment rushed back into the burning tavern, and Campbell dashing after him dragged him througli the flames and falling timbers, from a back room of the Imilding, into the street again.' During tlie summer a corporal and twenty-three rank and file of the royal sappers and miners, and nine men of the East India Company's sappers were employed at Spithead under Major-General Pasley, in the removal of the wreck of the ' Royal George.' The operations were carried on from tiie 7th May to the end of October under the executive orders of Lieutenant G. R. Hutchinson, R.E. In all respects the duties, labours, and responsibilities of the sappers were the same as on previous occasions, except that the diving was carried out by the party, and a few of the East India (Company's sappers and miners, without in any one instance needing the help of • 'Philosophical Transactions,' i., 1843, p. 45. ' Reference would not have heen made to this sei'vice only for the accident which attended it. Often it is tlie lot of the corps at the various stations to distinguish themselves at fires, and by their promptitude and cheerful exer- tions, to save both lives and property. " An insurance company, in no respect under obligations to the parties who assisted at the fire, felt interested in the exertions of the sappers and awarded them 5/. As the sum was too small for distribution, it was well expended in the purchase of a clock for the barracks at Wiolwich. '-* After serving a station in China, died at Woolwich, in July, 1847. 1842.] KOYAL SA' ?EES AND MINERS. professional civil divers. On the 2ii(l November the detachment rejoined the corps at Chatham. Four divers were at first emj)loyed. On tlie 13th May the number was increased to five, and on the 3rd June to six, which force continued at the duty throughout the season. Several other men during the summer had been so employed when casualty or other cause prevented the regular divers descending, and the whole who had distinguished themselves in this work by their activity and success, were classified as follows : — t'irst-olitss divers : — corporal David Harris : lance-corporals Richard P. Joiii'8, and John Kau : privates Roderick Cameron, James Jago, John Williams, and William Crowdy. Scoijiicl-cl'iss divers: — privates Alexander Cleghorn and John Girvan. 'I'/i'rd-class (/itcis ;— lance-corporal W. I'liompson: privates William Browning, William Penman, and Edward Bamicoat."" Corporal Harris almost entirely by his own diligence removed, in little more than two months, the wreck of the 'Perdita' mooring lighter, which was sunk in 1783 in the course of ]Mr. Tracy's unsuccessful efforts to weigh the ' Royal George.' It was about sixty feet in length, and embedded in mud fifty fathoms south of that vessel. The exposed timbers stood only two feet six inches above the level of the bottom, so that the exertions of Harris in removing the wreck '/ere herculean. Completely overpowered by fatigue, he claimed a respite for a day or two to recruit his energies, and then resumed work with his accustomed assiduity and cheerfulness. There was a sort of abnegation — an absence of jealousy — in the character of Harris which, as the rivalry among the divers made them somewhat selfish, gave prominency to his kii. Iness. He met Cameron at the bottom, who led him to the spot where he was working. For a considerable time Cameron had fruitlessly laboured in slinging an awkward timber of some '" The nine men of the East India Company's sappers, whose names are ap- pended, dived more or less as occasion ottered. I^ance-corporal Thomas Sherstone, privates James Hewitt, James Bcale, George Taylor, William Bra- hazon, John Hunt, William England, John Mclvor, and John A. Goodfellow. Hewitt was the best, Sherstone the next, and Bcale and Taylor were very pro- mising. 304 HISTORY OF THE [1842. magnitude, when Harris readily stood in his place; and in a few minutes, using ('ameron's brnast-liiie to make the necessary signals, sent the mass on deck. It was thus recorded to Cameron's credit, hut the circumstance, on becoming known, was regarded with so much satisfaction, that honourable mention was made of it in the official journal. Lance-corporal Jones, a sagacious and indefatigable diver, was the most conspicuous for his success at the ' Royal George.' In one day besides slinging innumerable fragments, he sent up nearly three tons of ])ig-iron ballast. The duty of recovering it, which was excessively trying, was confined to him. So pjiinful and enlarged had his hands liecome in discharging it, he was at last fairly beaten, and for a few days, took an easier area at the bottom. Meanwhile private Hewitt of the East India Comjjany's sappers, one of the most s])irited divers of his ])arty, succeeded him, and led by mark-lines to the spot, com- menced his arduous task. Hard indeed did he labour to follow his predecessor even at a remote distance ; but on coming up, he declared it was impossible for any one to work there. It appeared for some time, that Jones in his dogged perseverance, had nui his adventurous chances in gaps and gullies over his head in mud, and could only foel the ballast by forcing his hands down among the shingle as far as his strength permitted him to reach. On another day Jones lodged on deck from his slings a crate confciining eighty 1 2-pounder shot. AVith singular success he laid the remainder of the kelson open for recovery, and then, sinking deeper, drew from the mud in two hauls nearly 35 feet of the keel. He also weighed a small vessel of six tons burden l)elonging to a Mr. Cussell, which drove, under a strong current, upon one of the lighters. Becoming entangled, the craft soon filled and foundered, grapjjling in her descent with the ladder of one of the divers. Grounding at a short distance from the interval between the lighters, Jones was selected to try his skill in rescuing her. At once descending he fixed the chains UTider her stern, and while attempting to hold them in position by ))assing them round the mast, the tide turned, the vessel swung 1842.i ROYAL SAPPERS AXD MINKRS. 80t about, and the mast fell over the side, burying Jones under her sails and rigging. Perilous as was bis situation, his fearlessness and prosoncc of mind never for a moment forsook him. Work- ing from under the canvas and ciirefully extricating himself from the crowd of ropes that ensnared him, he at last found himself free. A thunderstorm now set in, and obedient to a call from above, he repaired to the deck ; but as soon as the squall had subsided he again disappeared and cleverly jamming the slings, the boat was hove up ; but she had become a complete wreck and was taken on shore. Nothing was too venturesome for him to undertake, and the trial of entcrin-ising expedients only whetted his wish to be the chief in their execution. It was desired to ascertain how long a diver could exist in his dress without communication with the external air. Jones offering himself for the experiment, remained ten minutes on the deck of the lighter, cased up as if hermetically sealed, without experiencing any inconvenience. A more dangerous trial followed. A clever man had expressed his conviction, that if the air-pipe were to buret on deck and the diver not instantly drawn up, he would be suffocated. Notwithstanding this scientific speculation, Jones descended, and the pump, by signal, ceased. Five minutes he continued unsupplied from above, but a feeling of pressure having then commenced on his chest, he signalled for air. The knowledge thus acquired, proved that a diver had ample time to be hauled up before the air in his dress should become too vitiated to sustain life. On going down to examine the progress made in the removal of the * Perdita,' Jones encountered a human body which had been drowned about six weeks. It felt round and hard ; was nude to the waist but clothed in trowsers to the ankles. Jones was a long time before he could discover what it was that annoyed him. On tracing with his fingers the course of the spinal column, it felt as if the vertebrae were as distinct as the bars of an iron grating. The thought suddenly possessed him that he was handling the remains of a fellow creature. Horror- stricken at the idea, he rushed up the ladder, and it was a few UISTOIIY OF THE [1842. hours before he could sufficiently master his feelinpfs to re- descend. When he did so he wont to the spot where the body visited him, and removed the timber he had previously secured. lie was, however, no more troubled with this submarine apparition nor with a return of his melancholy emotions. Two days after. Corporal Harris had an interview with a strange substance at the foot of his ladder ; but not over-nice in his sensations, he struck his pricker into it. When pulled up to the surface, it turned out to be the mutilated remains that molested the sensitive Jones. These two non-commissioned officers were now equal to the best divers in Europe, and their daring exploits at the bottom of the sea under a great depth of water, with a strong tide, and traversing a space covered with thick mud, embarrassed by iron and shingle ballast, huge timbers, guns, and a thousand other obstacles, were constantly recorded in the newspapers of the day, and filled the publ'c with wonder. A sort of fixed intention possessed the minds of the divers this season to bring up the leviathan keel at all hazards. Several therefore shared in the honour of recovering a portion of it. Cameron was the first to burrow under it, and he slung a short piece, which was scjirfed, connected with six pairs of copjjcr bolts, measuring one foot six inches long, and also the clamps for securing the false keel. Private James Hewitt of the East India (Company's sappers also recovered a short length. Jago, more successful, sent up six feet ; Harris sixteen feet ; and Jones came in for the lion's portion, having slung no less than thirty-four feet six inches. Crowdy also added to the registry of his achievements, the recovery of a guinea ; and Cleghorn had the good fortune to send up an 18-pounder iron gun, the only one disembowelled from the deep this summer. A few accidents occurred during the season, only one of which was serious. Corporal Jones, as usual, fell in for his share of them. Slinging, on one occasion, five pigs of ballast, he jumped upon the chains to tighten the load and secure it from slipping. In so doing the weight wl irled round and imparted a rotating motion to the bull rope t > which the chains 1842.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MIXRRS, m ^ i were attached. The rope coining in contact with his air-pipe and Hfe-line twined several times round them, and interrupted, in a measure, the channels of communication. To avert the danger which threatened, Jones threw himself on his back, declining the slow process of climbing his ladder ; and permitting the air in proper quantity to take vent through the escape valve, passed motionless through the water, except the simple action of his hand occasionally to rectify his balance. His upward flight was something like the downward pitch of a bird, which, laying its wings on the air, descends with scarcely a flutter to the ground. Quickly hauled on board, it was not without much difficulty he was extricated from the entanglement in which his zeal had unwittingly involved him. At another time, being very wet, he was compelled to re-ascend to ascertain the cause of the inconvenience. On examining his helmet, the escape valve was found to be open owing to the presence of a small stone in the a[)erture, which opposed the true action of the valve and admitted water into his dress in a small but unchecked stream. Private John Williams early in the season tore his hands very severely in attempting to sling a mass of the wreck with jagged surfaces and broken bolts. After a few days' rest, he re-appeared in his submarine habit and dived as before ; but, from excessive pain in the ears, was again hors-de-combat until the 11th July ; when, on re-descending, he was grievously injured by the bursting of his air-pipe a few inches above the water. This casualty was indicated by a loud hissing noise on deck. A few seconds elapsed before the rupture could be traced and the opening teni^ rarily stopped. With great alertness he was drawn up ; and on being relieved of his helmet presented a frightful appearance. His face and neck were much swollen and very livid, bood was flowing profusely from his mouth and ears, his eyes were closed and protruding, and on being laid on deck, he retched a quantity of clotted gore. Though partially suffocated he possessed suflicient sensibility to speak of the mishap. A sudden shock, it seems, struck him motionless, and then followed a tremendous pressure as if he were being crushed to death. A month in Haslar hospital 808 IIISTOT^Y OF THE [1842. restored liim to health, and on returning to the wreck, he at once re-commenced the laborious occupation of diving. He was quite as venturesome and zealous as before, but was again soon obliged to leave ofl', liaving resumed the duty at too early a period of his convalescence. A dangerous but curious incident occurred this summer between corporal Jones and private Girvan — two rival divers, who in a moment of irritation engaged in a conflict at the bottom of the sea, having both got hold of the same floor timber of the wreck which neither would yield to the other." Jones at length fearful of a collision with Girvan, he being a powerful man, made his bull-rope fast and attempted to escjipe by it ; but before he could do so, Girvan seized him by the legs and tried to draw him down. A scuffle ensued, and Jones succeeding in extricating his legs from the grasp of his antago- nist, took a firmer hold of the bull-rope and kicked at Girvan several times with all the strength his suspended position permitted. One of the kicks broke an eye or lens of Girvan's helmet, and as water instantly rushed into his dress, he was likely to have been drowned, l;ad he not at once been hauled on board. Two or three days in Ilaslar hospital, however, completely cured him of the injuries he thus sustained, and these two submarine combatants ever afterwards carried on their duties with the greatest cordiality. As artificers, lance-corporal Thompson and private Penman were skilful and diligent. Lance-corporal Rae and private Thomas Smith were in charge of the gunpowder and voltaic battery, and made all the mining preparations for explosion. Nearly four tons and a quarter of powder were fired in numerous small charges from 18 to 1701bs., which will afford some idea of the importance of the duty.'* General Pasley in his official report, besides highly com- mending the men above named, wrote in praise of the general " ' United Service Journal,' iii. 1843, p. 139. " Much of the information given about the wreck of the ' Royol George,' has been gleaned from the ' Hampshire Telcgroph,' 'Army and Navy Register,' and the ' Manuscript Journal of the Operations.' 1842.J nOYAL SAPPETIS ANT) MIXEHS. good conduct of the entire detachment and of its useful and active services, ('orporal Blaik, who assisted in the suj)erin- tendenceof tlie whole of the workmen in one of the two mooring lighters, the General allutlcd to as a non-commissioned otficer of much merit and strict integrity. His courteous l)ehaviour, too, elicited the respect of every man employed, and attracted the favourable notice of many officers and gentlemen who visited the operations.'-' Early in Stiptember, at the request of the Trinity corporation, Colonel Sir Frederick Smith, director of the royal engineer establishment, undertook to demolish two barges formerly used as the foundations of beacons at Blyth Sand, Siieerness. For this purpose he sent Lieutenant Bourchier, R.K., sergeant- major Jenkin .Tones and tjven men of the corps to the spot in the ' Beaconry,' one of the Trinity steamers. A ninnber of small charges deposited in tin cases were tixed at low water, and fired to shake the wrecks. By the ex))losion of a lai-go charge on the 3rd September, one barge was completely de- stroyed and dispersed ; and on the 5th, by the firing of a still greater charge, the other barge shared the fate of its consort. Miisses of the wreck on the first explosion were projected to a height of about 200 feet, and about 400 feet from the scene of operations, while at the same time a column of water, eighty feet high, was forced into the air. On the second occasion. Sir Thomas Willshire, the commandant of Chatham garrison, and Captain Welbank, chairman of the Trinity corporation, were present, but the effect wa^ less striking, although a much greater quantity of powder was used, in consequence of there being at the moment twenty feet of superincumbent water pressing on the barge. Captain Welbank personally compli- mented the " indefatigable " sergeant-major for his success, and '^ Afterwards a sergeant. Was generally employed in duties of importance far exceeding his rank, at the Cape of Good Hope, Isle of France, and Hong- Kong. In 1847 he was present in the expedition to Canton, blew up the Zigzag Fort, and otherwise conspicuously distinguished himself. He died at Hong-Kong, after five years' service there, in 1848. Blaik had been brought up at the royal military asylum, Chelsea. 400 HISTORY OF THE [1642. the corporation of Trinity House afterwards, with the pormis- uion of the Master-General, j)iosonte(l iiim with a silver-gilt Hnuff-lHJX to commemorate the assistance he rendered in the dispersion of the wrecks,'* '* Four years previously, August, 18D8, sergeant-major Jones was presented with a silver tankard, "by the sergeants of Chatham gnrrlson, in testimony of their gratitude for the undeviating attention he evinced in superintending the formation of a military swimming-bath at that stat' ' 1842.] ROYAr< BAPPKnS AND MINKRS. 401 1842. Draft to (Canada — Company recalli-tl from thence — lu services and movements — Its elmracter — Laboiira of ooloiir-sergeiint Lunyoii — Inoreasu to Gibraltar — Hc'diic'tioii ill tl.. PI- ■, Iiisli siirvi'y conipli'ti'd ; force employed in its prosecution — Keusoiis for condiioting it under iiiilitury rule — Keononiy of siiperint' • leiiee by sappers -Tlieir enipldViiienls — Sergeants West, Uoiill, Spaldin;;, Keville — Corporals (leorge Newman, Andrew Duncan— StatV ap- poiutmunts lo tlie survey conipanics — Daiijiers — Hardships — Avirage strength of sapper force employed — Casuallies — Kindness of the Irish — (Jra- dual transfer of sappers for the Knglish survey — Uistribulioi: ; Southampton. The company in (^'anada which accompanied tlie troops to that province on tlie occjision of tlie unsettled state of affairs on the American frontier, was incirascd to a full company by the arrival of thirteen mei; on the H\\ July, lf^42. Scarcely had the party landed before the company itself was recalled, and rejoined the corps at Woolwich on the 31st Oc- tober, 1842. During its four years' service on the frontier, the total of the company, with its reinforcement, counted ninety- nine of all ranks, and its casualties only amounted to eight men invalided, tliree discliarged, and five deserted. Not a death was reported. From time to time it was stationed at Quebec, Fort Mississatiua near the Falls of Niagara, St. Helen's Island, St. John's, and Fort Lennox, Isle aux Noix. These were its several head-quarters, and as the company was removed from one to the other, parties were detached for service to each of the other stations, and also to Amherstburgh. In repairing and improving the defences at Mississaqna and Isle aux Noix they were found of great advantage. At the other stations they were no less usefully occupied in barrack repairs and other contingent services. From Amherstburgh the detachment rejoined the company VOL. I. 2 D ml 40S HISTORY OF THE [1842. in 1840. Whilst the latter was at St. Helen's and afterwards at St. John's, the men were exercised during the summer months in pontooning with bridges of ( 'olonel Blanshard's con- struction, which had been stored at (Jhambly until 1840. The pontoons were found to travel well on bad roads, but the breadth of the rivers in Canada did not permit of their being often used as bridges. After the removal of the company, Colonel Oldfield, the commanding royal engineer, tlms wrote of it : " The discipline of the company was not relaxed by its four summers in (Canada. It had suffered the inconvenience of several times changing its captain, but it was nevertheless maintained in good order and regular conduct. Lieutenant W. C. Roberts, R.E., however, was constantly with it, to whom and colour-sergeant Lanyon ' and the non-commissioned officers, much credit is due. The desertions only amounted to six, although the company was on the frontier in daily communication with the United States. Of these six, one returned the following morning ; a second would have done so but he feared the jeers of his comrades ; and the other four found when too late the falsity of the induce- ments which had attracted them to the States, and would gladly have come back could they have done so. And the Colonel then concludes, " The advantages enjoyed by well- behaved men, and the esprit de corps which has always existed in the sappers have been found to render desertion rare, even when exposed to greater temptation than usually falls to the lot of other soldiers." ' Ante, pp. 307-310. At the new barracks built for the drugoong at Niagara, sergeant Lanyon successfully constructed a circular well, about thirty feet deep, after two or three contractors had attempted it and failed. He laboured himself in laying the stones up to his hips in water, and afl'orded ample work for a strong party above in preparing the stones for placement, and puu^ping up the water. The service was effected under iiiany difficulties and hazards, and while the weather was intensely cold. As an instance of his great strength it may be remarked, that six men complained to him of the heavy task they were subjected to in removing timbers about 15 feet long and 12 inches square for constructing a stockade at Fort Mississaqua. Lanyon made no observation, but shouldered one of the unwieldy logs, and, to the amazement of the grum- blers, carried it to the spot unassisted. 1842.] ROYAL RAPPKTIS AND MINETiS. 403 In the meantime a second company had been removed to Gibraltar in the ' Alban ' steamer under Lieutenant Theodosius Webb, R.E., and landed on the Gth July, 1842. This aug- mentation to the corps at that fortress was occasioned by the difficulty felt in procuring a sufficient number of mechanics for the works ; and to meet the emergency, the company in Canada was recalled, as in both provinces works of consider- able magnitude had been carried on by civil workmen, who could at all times be more easily engaged in a country receiving continual influxes by immigration, than in a confined fortress like Gibraltar with a limited population. On the return of the Niger expedition in November, to which eight rank and file had been attached, tho establishment of the corps was reduced from 1,298 to 1,290 of all ranks. The survey of Ireland upon the 6-incli scale was virtually completed in December of this year, terminating with Bantry and the neighbourhood of Skibbereen. The directing force in that great national work was divided into three districts in charge of three captains of royal engineers in the country ; and there was also a head-quarter office for the combination and examination of the work, correspondence, engraving, printing, &c., in charge of a fourth captain. To each of these districts the survey companies were attached in relative proportion to the varied requirements and contingencies of the service, and adapted to the many modifications which particular local cir- cumstances frequently rendered imperative. A staflf of non- commissioned officers and men was tilso stationed at the hear' quarter office, and discharged duties of trust and importance. In framing his instructions for the execution of the Irish survey. Colonel Colay had to reject his old opinions formed from circumscribed -xamples of small surveys, and to encounter all the prejudices wliicrh had been fixed in the minds of practical men. The experience of these parties did not extend beyond the surveys of estates of limited space, performed without hurry and with few assistants. Coloncil Colby, on the other hand, was to survey rapidly a large country, with much more accuracy. The two modes were therefore so entirely different, 2 D 2 404 HISTORY OF THE [1842. that it took less time to train for its performance tliose who had no prejudice, and who had been brought up by military dis- cipline to obey, than to endeavour to combine a heterogeneous mass of local surveyors fettered by preconceived notions and conceits, deficient in habits of accuracy and subordination, and who could not be obtained in sufficient numbers to form any material proportion of the force. Hence the survey of Ireland became essentially military in its organization and control, the officers of (jngineers being the directors of large parties, and the non-commissioned officers the subordinate directors of small parties. In the later years of the Irish survey, however, the superin- tendence by the sappers became of much consequence and its advantages very appreciable in the reduction of expense. For the year 1827, the outlay for tiie survey was above 37,000^., at which period the sum paid to the officers was more than one- third of the whole amount ; but in 1841, when the expenditure was more than doubled, the amount for supei intendence had been reduced to a twelfth part of the total expenditure.^ The general employment of the sappei-s and miners in this great national work embraced the whole range of the scheme for its accomplishment, and many non-connnissioned officers and men trained in this school became superior observers, surveyors, draughtsmen, levellers, contourers, and examiners. Among so many w'ho distinguished themselves it would be almost invidious to name any ; but there were a few so con- spicuous for energy of character, efficiency of service, and attainments, that to omit them would be a dereliction no scruples could justify. Their names are subjoined : — Colour-sergeant John West celebrated as an engraver. In 1833, the Master-General, Sir James Kempt, pointed out his L ' ' Second Report Army and Ordnance Kxpendituro,' 1849, p. SDO. To such an extent was the diminution in tlie nunil)er of the officers subsequently carried, that in 184y the amount of expense incurred by the superintendence of officers was reduced to one twenty-second part of the total expenditure; therefore by the more general employment of sappers in the direction of the work, the amount of superintendence was reduced from one-third and one-fourth, to one twenty-second part. 1842.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 405 name on the engraving of the index map of Londonderry to His Majesty William IV. in terms of commendation ; and the Master-General, while V, est was yet a second-corporal, pro- moted him to 1)0 supernumerary-sergeant, with the pay of the rank. Most of the index maps of the counties of Ireland were executed by him, and a writer in the United Service Journal •* complimented him by saying that the maps already completed by him were as superior to the fcimous Carte des (Jhasses as the latter was to the recondite productions of Kitchen, the geo- grapher. His also was the master hand that executed the city sheet of Dublin, and his name is associated witii many other maps of great national ini})ortance. The geological map of Ireland, 183!>, engraved for che Railway Commissioners, was executed by him ; and in uU his works, which are many, he has displayed consummate skill, neatness, rigid accuracy, and beauty both of outline and topography. In October, 184(1, he was pensioned at Is. 10(7. a-day, and received the gratuity and medal for his meritorious services. He is now employed at the ordnance survey office, Dublin, and continues to gain admi- ration for the excellency of his maps. Sergeant Alexander DouU was enlisted in 1813. After serving a station in the West Indies, he was removed to Chatham. There on the plan of ' Cobbett's Grannnar,' he commenced publishing letters to his son on " Geometry," but after the second number appeared, he relinquished the undertaking. In 1825 he joined the survey com})anies, and was the chief non-commis- sioned officer at the base of !MagiUigan. He was a superior mathematical surveyor and draughtsman, and his advice in difficult survey questions was fre(|ueutly f )llowed and never without success. Between 1828 and 1833 he had charge of a 12-inch theodolite, observing for the secondary and minor triangulation of one of the districts, and was the first non-com- missioned officer of sappers, it is believed, who used the instru- ment bearing that designation. In July, 18;54, while employed in the revision of the work in the neighbourhood of Rathmelton; • ii., 1835, p. 154. 406 HISTORY OF THE [1842. he introduced a system of surveying similar to traverse-sailing in navigation, wliicii effected a considerable saving of time in the progress of the work, and elicited the approbation of Colonel Colby. While on the duty he invented a plotting-scale,'' and subsequently a reflecting instrument,^ both simple and ingenious in construction. After a service of twenty-three years, he was discharged in January, lSi\S. When the tithe comrautt'tion survey was thrown into the hands of contractors, DouU got portions of the work to perform, and his maps were referred to in terms of high commendation by Edwin Chadwick, Esq.* Among several towns that he surveyed, one was Woolwich, the map of which, dedicated to Lord Bloomfield, was published by him in 1843. In the proposed North Kent Railway, Mr. DouU was assistant-engineer to Mr. Vignoles, and he planned a bridge of three arches, having a roadway at one side and a double line of rails at the other, with an ornamental screened passage between, to span the Medway where the new bridge re- cently constructed, connects Strood and Rochester ; which plan, had the proposed railway not been superseded by a rival line, would have secured an enduring fame for the designer. This was the opinion of Mr. Vignoles and Sir Charles Pasley. Afterwards when the competing companies were preparing their respective projects, Mr. DouU represented the engineering difficulties of the opposing scheme in a pamphlet under the signature of " Calculus." In this his military knowledge and experience were well exhibited, inasmuch as he showed how the fortifications at Chatham would be injured by the adoption of that line ; and the railway consequently, on account of this and other influences, has never been prolonged so as to interfere with the defences. A few years afterwards he published a small work entitled, " Railway Hints and .'lailway Legislation," which obtained for him, from the South-Eastern Railway Company — the one he so perscveringly opposed — the situation of assistant-engineer to the line. More recently he issued a pamphlet on the subject * Frome's ' Survfying,' 1840, p. 40. Simms' ' Math. Inst.,' Ist edit. ' Frome's ' Surveying,' 1840, p. 44. ' ' British Compauion and Almanack,' 1843, p. 38. "1«42. 1842.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 407 of a railway in America,' which for its boldness and lucidity gained for him the praise of a rising literary genius in the royal engineers.** His last pamphlet on the subject of ojjening a north-west passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, a distance of 2,500 miles, is more daring, and evinces more pretension and merit than any of his previous literary efforts, Mr. Doull is also known as the inventor of several improve- ments of the permanent way of railways,' and is a member both of the Society of Civil Engineers and the Society of Arts. Serjeant Robert Spalding was for many years employed on the survey of Ireland, from which, on account of his acquire- ments, he was removed to Chatham to be instructor of sur- veying to the young sappers. To assist him in the duty he published a small manual for the use of the students. It was not an elaborate effort, but one which detailed with freedom and simplicity the principles of the science. In 1834 he was appointed clerk of works at the Gambia, where his vigorous intellect and robust health singled him out for varied colonial employment, and his merits and exertions frequently made him the subject of official encomium Five years he spent in that baneful and exhausting climate, and in 1840, just as he was about to sail for England, the fever seized him, and in a few days he died. In his early career as a bugler he was present in much active service, and was engaged at Vittoria, San Sebastian, Bidassoa, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse. Sergeant Edward Keville was a very fair and diligent artist. He engraved the index map of the county of Louth, and assisted in thi 'eral engraving work at the ordnance survey office in Dublin. In January, 1846, he was pensioned at Is. lOjcZ. a day, and obtained re-employment in the same office in which he had spent the greatest part of his military career. Second-corporal George Newman was eminent as a draughts- ' First publishod in a series of letters to the ' Morning Chronicle,' and then collecteil, with additional matter, in a pamphlet. " Synges's ' Great Britain— one Empire.' " These he patented in November, 1851. A description of the improve- ments, with sixteen illustrations, is given in the ' Civil Engineer and Architects' .Tournul,' xv., pp. Hi4, 105. 408 HISTORY OF THE [1842. man, and the unerring fineness and truthfulness of his Hues and points were the more remarkable, as he was an unusually large man of great bodily weight. He died at Killarney in 1841. Lance-corporal Andrew Duncan was a skilful and ingenious artificer. His simple contrivance for making the chains, known by the name of " Guntor's chains," is one p"oof of his success as an inventor. Those delicate measures, in which the greatest accuracy is required, have by Duncan's process been made for the last twelve years by a labourer unu:^ed to any mechanical occupation, with an exactitude that admits of no question. The apparatus is in daily use in the survey department at South- ampton, and the chains required for the service can be made by its application with great facility and rapidity. He was discharged at Dublin in September, 1843, and is now working as a superior artizan in the proof department of the royal arsenal. Equally distinguished were sergeants William Young, Wil- liam Campbell, and Andrew Bay, and privates Charles Holland and Patrick Hogan, but as their names and qualifications will be found connected with ])articular duties in the following pages, further allusion to them in tliis place is unnecessary. Colonel Colby in his closing official report, spoke of the valuable aid which he had received from the royal sappers and miners in caiTying on the survey, and as a mark of consideration for their merits, and with the view of retaining in confidential situations the non-commissioned oflicers who by their integrity and talents had rendered themselves so useful and essential, he recommended the permanent appointment of quartermaster-ser- geant to be awarded to the survey companies ; but 3 honour so ably urged was, from economical reasons, not conceded. Seventeen years had the sappers and miners been employed on the general survey and had travelled all over Ireland. They were alike in cities and in wastes, on mountain heights and in wild ravines, had traversed arid land and marshy soil, wading through streams and tracts of quagmire in the prosecution of their duties. To every vicissitude of weather they were exposed, and in storms at high altitudes subjected to personal disaster 1842.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. m and peril. Frequently they were placed in positions of immi- nent danger in surveying bogs and moors, precipitous mountain faces, and craggy rocks and coasts. Boating excursions too were not without their difficulties and hazards in gaining islands almost unapproachable, and bluff isolated rocks and islets, often through quicksand and the low channels of broad sandy bays and inlets of the sea, where the tide from its strength and rapidity precluded escape unless by the exercise of extreme caution and vigilance, or by the aid of boats. Two melancholy instances of drowning occurred in these services : both were {)rivatos, — William Bennie and Joseph Maxwell ; the former by the upsetting of a boat while he was employed in surveying the islands of I-och Strangford, and the latter at Valentia Island. This island consisted of projecting rocks very difficult of access, and when private Maxwell was engaged in the very last act of finishing the survey a surf swept him off the rock. A lad named Conway, his labourer, was borne away by the same wave. The devoted private had been immersed in a previous wave by which his note-book was lost, and while stooping with anxiety, to see if he could recover it, another furious wave dashed up the point and carried him into the sea.'" Hardship and toil were the common incidents of their every- day routine, for on mountain duty theirs was a career of trial and vicissitude. Comforts they had none, ^nd what with the want of accommodation and amusement in a wild country, on a dizzy height, theirs was not an enviable situation. Covered only by a canvas tent or marquee they were barely closed in from the biting cold and the raging storm ; and repeatedly tents, stores, and all, have been swept away by the wind or con- sumed by fire, while the hardy tenants, left on the bleak hill top, or the open heath, have remained for days together half naked and unsheltered. Such was their disciphne and such '" In consideration of this event, the Board of Ordnance granted his widow a donation of 20Z. ; and she was, moreover, assisted by a very Iiandsome sub- scription from the otiiceis and men of the district in which her husband had served. 410 HISTOUY OF THE r 1842. their spirit, they continued to labour protected only by their great coats — if hajjly they escaped destruction — till, renewed with tents or huts, tliey pitched again their solitary dwellings far away on the height or the moor. Even on the less exposed ein])loyments of the survey, the men were subjected to many discomforts and fatigues. The marching was harassing ; miles to and from work were daily tramped, frequently in a drenching rain ; and in this kind of weather soaked to the skin, they barely permitted their work to be interrupted. Night after night for two or three weeks together, have these men returned to their quarters dripping wet ; and when, in frosty weather, their clothes have frozen on their backs, the removal of boots and trousers have only been accomplished by immersing the legs in warm water. The average strength of the three companies set apart for the survey, for each year from 1825 to 1842, is subjoined: — 1825 I.caat Strength. 61 Greatest Strength. 109 AveraRe for each 12 Mcinths. 86 1826 106 134 115 1827 129 220 177 1828 232 259 248 1829 234 257 242 1830 1831 233 248 2.58 268 247 255 1832 230 256 242 1833 211 231 220 1834 204 215 209 1835 199 204 201 183G 195 198 196 1837 191 213 199 1838 208 217 213 1839 1840 1841 1842 199 183 87 31 220 213 179 74 208 197 142 50 During the above period the casualties by death in Ireland only amounted to twenty-nine of all ranks, proving the general healthiness of their occupation. Of these, three were untimely : two by drowning as shown in a preceding paragraph, and one killed— private John Crockett— by falling from a car while pro- ceeding on duty from Leixlip to Chapclizod. 1842.J ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 411 Here it should be noted that the sappers, in the prosecution of their duty, necessarily mixed with uU descriptions of society, and were invariably treated with respect, civility, and hospi- tality. The spirit of agrarianisui, the bigotry of religion, or tlie natural irritable temperament of the people, were seldom evinced against the companies in abuse or conflict. As the work was drawing to a close the sappers by rapid removals augmented the force employed in the survey of Great Britain, so that at the termination of 1841 there were no less than 143 men chiefly in the northern counties of England, and thirty-four carrying on the triangulation of Scotland, leaving for the residual work of the Irish survey only eighty-seven men of all ranks. In June, 1842, the payment of the companies in England conuncnced on a system of consolidating the detachments into a series of vouchers prepared for their respective companies. At that time the force in Ireland, left for the revisionary survey of Dublin and the northern counties and for the engraving office at Mountjoy, reached a total of six sergeants and forty- one rank and file ; while the absorbing work of the survey of Great Britain had on its rolls a strength of 217 of all ranks. Southampton, in consequence of the destruction of the map office at the Tower of London by fire, was established as the head-quarters of the swrvcy companies ; and in the institution formerly known as the royal military asylum for the orphan daughters of soldiers, are now carried on those scientific and extensive duties which regulate with such beautiful accuracy and order, the whole system of the national survey. 418 HISTORY OF TIIK [1843. 1843. Falkland Islands ; services of the detachment there — Exploration trips— Scat of government changed —Turner's stream — Hull fight-ltound Down Cliff, near Dover — Uouiulary line in North America — Sergeant-major Forbes — Operations for removing the wreck of the ' Koyal George' — Exertions of the party— Private Girvan — Sagacity of corporal Jones — Success of the divers — Exertions to recover the missing guns — Harris's nest — llis district pardonatily invaded — Wreck of the ' lOdgar,' and corporal Jones — Power of water to convey sound — Girvan at the 'Edgar' — ."^ .i accident — Cessation of the work — Conduct of the detachment employed in it — Sir George Murray's commendation — Longitude of Valentia — Kehellion in Ireland — Colour-ser- geant Lanyon explores the passages under Dublin Castle — Fever at llermuda — IJurning of the ' Missouri ' steamer at Gibraltar — Hong-Kong — Inspection at Woolwich by the Grand Duke Michael of Itussia — Percussion carbine and accoutrements. The settlement at Poft Louis, in the Falkland Islands, was daily growing into importance, and works api)licable to every conceivable emergency were executed. This year the old government-house was thoroughly repaired, and a new sub- stantial barrack for the detachment erected. Unlike the other buildings of the colony, the foundation-stone was laid by the Governor with the usual ceremony, and in a chamber was placed a bottle of English coins of the reign of Queen Victoria. There were also built houses for baking, cooking, and to hold boats. A butcher's shop was likewise run up, and cottnges erected for the guachos and their major-domo, as well as a small calf house on Long Island and a large wooden peat- bouse at Town Moss. To add to the variety of their employ- ment the sappers repaired the pass-house, put the pinnace in fine sailing condition, and constructed a jetty of rough stones for boats. Other services of less note but equally necessary were performed, such as tpiarrying stone, building a sod-wall 1843.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 413 to enclose a space for gardun purposes, stacking peat for the winter, and removing stores and provisions from the newly- arrived ships, &c. Parties were detached on exploring services to North (^ainp and Mare llarhour. In hoth places wild cattle abounded and troops of horses made no attcm])t to scamper away. On one excursion sergeant llearnden and corporal Watts accompanied Mr. Robinson to Port St. Salvador in the face of a snow-storm, opposed by a cutting wind. Several wild horses and a herd of savage bulls were met in the trip ; and geese, too, crossed their track in vast numbers, merely waddling out of the way to pre- vent the horsemen crushing them. Night at length spread over them. To return in such weather was impossible ; and looking about they discovered a heaj) of stones, which turned out to be a sealer's hut. The ribs of a whale were its rafters and turf and stones served the j)urpose of tiles. Leashing their horses and fastening them in a grassy district some four miles from the hut, llearnden at once repaired the roof of the deso- late hermitage, and Mr. Robinson with his companions crept into it through a small aperture on their hands and knees. Here they j)assed a bitter night ; and so intense was the cold that four of the five dogs taken with them perished. Next day they returned to the settlement with less appearance of suffering than cheerfulness, and with a heavy supply of brent and uj)land geese and some wild rabbits. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the health of the detachment continued to be robust. Fourteen months they had been at the Falkland Islands without a doctor ; but in March one was added to the settlement from the ' Philomel' After having erected comfortable residences for nearly the whole of the official establishment, the seat of government, by orders frf m the Colonial Office, was removed to Port ^V'^illiam. The proclamation for this purjjo?-^! was read to the inhabitants of Port Louis by sergeant Llearnden on the 18th August, 1843. Jackson's Harbour was selected by the Lieutenant-Go- vernor for the future settlement Soon after, the detachment marched overland to the spot, and continued there during the 414 IIISTOHY OF THK [1843. rcmninilor of the year — oxcopt wlicn tompornry service required tlicir presence at Port f^uis — prcpnrin Once the cnmp was nttnckcd by a number of wild liorsoa and four snvngo biill.s. Tlie party, about four in number, were at broakfa.st at tbo time tiu-y ai)])roacb(Ml, and, at once tn-izinp their loi'dcd rifleH, ran out of the tent to meet tiiem. Two of the bulls only, stood their pfround ; and though struck by two bullets, rushed on furiously, and forced the party to Imat a hasty retreat. A position was rapidly taken up among some barrels and tindjer, luider cover of which the men were reload- ing ; but the onslaught of the bulls was so impetuous that the operation was interrupted and the party driven into the tents. One of the animals now trotted off; but the other, still i)ur- suing, boltetl after the men into the marquee. A ball from private Biggs's rifle fortunately sto])i)cd his career, and, turning round, the infuriated animal tore up the tent, committed great havoc tlirough the camp, and maiU; a plunge at private Yates, who dexterously stejiped aside, and, firing, shot the bull in the head, and the combat ceased. Lance-corporal John Rae and private Thomas Smith were employed in January under Lieutenant G. R. Hutchinson, R.E., in the demolition and removal by blasting of a portion of the Round Down Cliff, near Dover, for the purj)ose of continuing the South Eastern Railway in an open line, supported by a sea- wall, up to the mouth of Shakspcare Tunnel. The summit of the cliff was about 380 feet above high-water mark, and 70 feet above that of Shakspcare Cliff. The two sappers had the executive superintendence of the mines, the placement of the charges, and various duties connected with the manage- ment of the voltaic apparatus and wires. No less than 180 barrels of ginipowder were expended in the operation ; and the explosion by electric galvanism brought down, in one stupendous fall, a mass of chalk — about 400,000 cubic yards — which covered a space of 15J acres, varying in depth from 15 to 25 feet, and saved the South Eastern Railway Company the sum of 7,000?. Six corporals under (Japtain Robinson, R.E., with Lieutenant Pipon, were attached, under orders from Lord Aberdeen, to the commission of which Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt was the chief, for tracing the boundary line between the British domi- nions in North America and the United States, as settled by 416 HISTORY OF THE [1843. the Ashburton treaty. Dressed in plain clothes, they embarked at Liverpool on the 19th April, and arriving at Halifax on the 2nd May, proceeded by Boston and New York to the Kennebec road and entered the woods late in the month. In May, 1844, the party was increased to twenty men by the arrival of fourteen non-commissioned officers and privates from the English survey companies. The co-operation of this i)arty was urged as of pari'Tnount importance. It enabled the work, so says the official communication, to be carried on over a large portion of country at once with energy and rapidity, and in such a manner as to insure a more vigorous and correct execution of it than if the (Jonmiissioners were left to depend on the assistance to be met with on the spot ; and which, although greatly inferior in quality, would have entailed more expense on the public than the employment of the military surveyors. Each sapper was selected as being competent to work by himself, and to survey and run lines of levels, besides keeping in constant employment a staff of labourers. Sergeant-major James Forbes retired from the corps on the 11th of April on a pension of 2s. 2d. a-day. lie was succeeded by colour-sergeant George Allan,' an excellent drill non- commissioned officer, who was appointed to the staff at Chatham, vice sergeant-major Jenkin Jones, removed to the staff at \\"oolwich. Tlie merits of sergeant-major Forbes have been frequently alluded to in these pages, but there still remain some other points in his history to be noticed. To tiie royal military college at Sandlnn-st, he presented several models niaich arose from want of ex- perience in firing conjunct charges at Spithoad ; but in other respects, the operation, which was (xceedingly difficult, was conducted with skill and success, owing to the able arrange- ments of Lieutenant Hutchinson, assisted by the leading riggers, and by lance-corporal Rae and private Alexander Cleghorn, who had the preparation of the charges and the voltaic batteries. The divers, too, did everything necessary at the bottom, and were well seconded in every department by the sappers and others employed. " In short," adds the narrative," " this opera- tion, including the separation of the two moorin'j lighters before the explosion and bringing them together afterwards," could not, in consequence of the severe weather, have possibly succeeded, " if all the men had not, from long experience, known their respective duties well and entered into them with laudable zeal." "On the 9th of July private John Girvan slung the largest and most remarkable piece of the wreck that had been met with this season, consisting of the fore foot and part of the stem, connected by two very large horse-shoe copper clamps bolted together ; the boxing by which it had been connected with the fore part of the keel was perfect, from which joint six feet of the gripe had extended horizontally, and terminated in the curve of the stem, which was sheathed with lead. — ^The length of this fragment was sixteen feet, measured obliquely, and its extreme width five feet.'' ' At another time he recovered an enormous fish-hook, no less than eight feet nine inches in length from the eye to the bow ! By corporal Jones, on the 17 th following, was slung a large iron bolt, ten feet long ; which, on being brought on deck, was observed by him to exhibit marks of having been in contact with brass. He therefore rightly conjectured there must be a brass gun at the spot, and descending again recovered a brass 24-pounder, nine and a half feet long, of the year 174>i.'' » ' United Service Journal,' iii., 1843, p. 13'J. " Ibid., p. 139. 8 Ibid., p. 138. 1843.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINI-:RS. 4S1 "On the 31st of July, private Girvan discovered a gun buried under the mud, but it was not till the 3rd of August that he succeeded in slinging it, assisted by corporal Jones, with whom he generally worked in concert this season ;" ^ and shortly after, the latter diver recovered the last remnant of the keel, measuring nearly twenty-two feet in length, corporal Harris having previously sent up portions of it in the early part of the summer amounting in length to thirty-six feet,'" and private Girvan, six feet. The only money got up this season was a guinea of 1775> found on a plank sent up by Jones. Increased exertions were now made to recover the guns> which were embedded some depth in the nmd, and the divers cleared the way by sending up everything they could meet . ith, until nothing but insignificant fragments could be found. To assist them, two frigate anchors and the half anchor creepers with some auxiliary instruments, drawn backwards and forwards as well as transversely over the site of the wreck, were made to do effectual work. The East India Company's sappers had been removed before these labours began ;" the whole of the subse- quent diving, therefore, was exclusively earned on by the royal sappers and miners,'^ atid to their vigilance of observation and unceasing zeal, was attributed the recovery of thirteen guns late in the season. Of these, corporal Harris got up three iron and six brass guns, corporal Jones three brass, and private Girvan one iron. Here it should be explained " how much more successful than his comrades corporal Harris was towards the close of the season, in recovering guns, though the other divers, corporal Jones and privates Girvan and Trevail, had i)cen equally succe«-*ful in all the ])rcviou3 operations. (Jorporal Harris fell in with a nest of guns, and it was a rule agreed upon, that each first-class diver should have his own district at the bottom, with which the others were not to interfere." " " 'United Service Journal,' iii., 1843, p. 139. II Quitted aSth August, 1843. I' ' Uuitcd Service Journal," i., 1844, j). 143. '» Ibid., pp. 137, 14(1. II Ibid., p. 140. 482 HISTUUY OF THE rib43. Jones, though satisfied with the arrangement as a general rule, was a little disposed to feel aggrieved when, by contrast, the odds were against him. He was (.-urious to know by what means Harris turned up the guns witli such teasing rapidity, and going down with the secret intention of making the discovery, tumbled over a gun with its muzzle sticking out of the nmd. This piece of ordnance legitimately belonged to Harris, for it was in his beat ; but, as Jones enthusiastically expressed it, seeming to invite the favour of instant removal, he could not resist the temptation to have its recovery registered to his credit. He therefore securely slung it, and rubbing his hands with delight at the richness of the trick, gave the signal to haul up. Harris, suspecting that his territory had been invaded, dashed down the ladder and just reached the spot in time to feel the breech of the gun slipping through his fingers. Jones, meanwhile, pushed on deck, and was pleased to see that the plundered relic was a 12-pounder brass gun of the year 1739. Jones a second time applied to the district over which Harris walked with so much success, and filched from the nest a brass 12-pounder gun — the last one recovered this season. After the removal of the ' Royal George ' had been effected, but while the search for the guns was going on, Major-General Pasley detached to the wreck of the ' Edgar,' '^ the ' Drake ' lighter, with thirteen petty officers and seamen of Her Majesty's ship ' Exceilent,' to learn the art of diving. Corporal Jones was attached to the party to instruct them. Violent gales pre- vailed at this period, " which repeatedly drove the ' Drake ' from her moorings, not without damage, and at other times caused her to drift in such a manner that guns, discovered by a diver late in a slack, could not be found when the weather per- mitted his subsequent descent." Hence only five iron guns of this wreck were got up during the season, with a j)icce of the keel and a floor timber. These were all recovered by corporal Jones, who had also been engaged one tide in finding an anchor '* This ill-fated ship, built by Builey of Bristol in ItiGS, was wrecked by un explosion in 1 7 U, and every soul on board perished.—' United Service Journal,' i., 1844, p. 146. 643. 1843.J llOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 483 was ning the lie that had been lost." So anxious was he to add to the magnitude of his acquisition, that on one occasion he remained below as long as four hours, but his exertions were unattended with the hoped-for return. An interesting fact with respect to the power of water to convey sound was ascertained on tlic Gtli October. A small waterproof bursting charge containing 18 lbs. of gunpowder was fired at the bottom. Corporal Jones who happened at the time to be working at the ' Edgar ' — nearly half-a-mile distant — hearing a loud report like tiie explosion of a cannon, imagined that a large charge had been fired over the ' Royal George.' To those on deck inuuediately over the place, the report was scarcely perceptible. Private Girvan relieved corporal Jones at the 'Edgar' on the 16th October, and got up the breech part of an iron 32-pounder, which had been cut in two a little in front of the trunnions.'" The only mishap this summer occurred to private Girvan. Just as he appeared above the water the explosion of a charge took place, from which he sustained a slight shock and a wrench in the back producing a sensation of pain. Though eager to go down again his wish was oveiTuled, and he remained on board for the day. Sergeant I^indsay fired the charge, and the accident was attributed to a nervous slip of his hand when ready to apply the wires to the battery. On the 4th November the divers descended for the last time, as the water had become so cold that their hands — the only part exposed — were completely benumbed, so that they could no longer work to advantage ; and then, the operations ceasing from necessity, the detachment of the corps rejoined their com- panies at \\'oohvicli. Major-General Pasley in according his praises to the various individuals and parties em])loyed at Spithead, spoke highly of sergeant George Lindsay in subordinate charge, and the whole detachment ; but more particularly of the intelligent and enter- l)rising men to whom the important task of preparing all the '" ' Unitud Service Journal,' i., 1844, pp. 145, 146. '« Ibid., p. 14«. 4S4 HISTORY OF THE [1843. charges fired by the voltaic battery was confided. The charges were miinerous and of various quantities, amounting in all to 19,193 lbs. of powder, or nearly 214 barrels. The soldiers alluded to were lancc-corjioral John Rac and private Alexander Cleghorn who were promoted for their services. The still more arduous duty of diving gave the General every satisfaction. Frequently the duty was embarrassing and dangerous, and carried on under circumstances calculated to test most severely their courage and resources ; and so indefatigable were their exertions, and so successful their services, that the military divers gained the character of being "second to none in the world." " Most of the party this season attempted to dive, but, from the oppression felt under water by some, only two or three beyond the regular divers could persevere in the duty. Upon the report made by Major-General Pasley of the con- duct of the detachment engaged in the operations. Sir Gi;orge Murray, the Master-General, was pleased thus to remark : " It has given me no less pleasure to be made acquainted with the very commendable conduct of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the sappers and miners who have been emj)loyed under Major-General I'asley, and have rendered so nmch use- ful service in the important undertaking conducted under his management. From June to September about eight men under Lieutenant Gosset, RE., assisted in the undertaking for determining the longitude of Valentia by the transmission of chronometers. Thirty chronometers were conveyed in every transmission ; and to privates Robert Penton and John M'Fadden was entrusted the service of bearing the chronometers, and winding them up at stated times and places. On receiving the chronometers from Liverpool the reciprocations took place repeatedly between Kingston and Valentia Island ; one private being responsible for their safe transit a portion of the route, and the other for the remaining distance to and from tb.e station at Feagh Main. Professor Sheepshanks and Lieutenant Gosset carried out the scientific purposes of the service, whilo the sappers not engaged '" ' United Service Journal,' iii., 1843, p. 141. 1843.] IIOYAL SAITERS AND MINERS. 490 i with the chronometers attended to the duties of the camp and ohservatory at Feagh Main, under the subordinate superinten- dence of corporal B. Keen Spencer. The professor in!*tructed this non-commissioned officer in the nio.!e of Uikinfj observations with the transit instrument; and further, in testimony of his satisfaction, gave generous gratuities to privates Penton and M'Fadden. Professor Airy, in speaking of the former, alludes to the j)urfect reliance he placed on his cafe, " and in winding the chronometers," adds, " he has no doubt the service was most correctly performed,"' "* The duty was one in which extreme caution and care were required, to prevent accident or derange- ment to the instruments. Agitation for a repeal of the union, headed by O'Connell, was now the great excitement of Ireland, and a rising of the nuisses to enforce it was daily expected. With the reinforce- ment of troops sent there to preserve order was the first com- pany of sappers, which was despatched by rapid conveyances, via Liverpool to Dublin, where it arrived on the 26th July. The company consisted of ninety men of all ranks, and their duties embraced rej)airs to the barracks and the planting of stockades in the rear of the castle, to prevent the ingress, in case of revolt, of the rebels." They also prepared several thousands of sand-bags for breastworks. Detachments of one sergeant and twenty rank and file were sent to Limerick and Athlone in November, where they strengthened the barracks and loopholed the outside walls for musketry. The store-rooms of the artillery barracks were also loopholed. Effectually, how- ever, was the anticipatt;d outbreak sui)pressed, and, under the authority of Sir James Graham, the Home Secretary, the com- ])any was recalled to England and arrived at Woolwich on the 22nd August, 1844. '" Airy's ' Longitude of Valentia,' p. xi. '" Owing to a rumour that the castle at Duhlin could be entered by a subter- ranean passage or sewer from the Liffey, colour-sergeant Lanyou was directed to explore it. lie did so, and found that a strong iron grating existed in the passage, which would eftectually prevent the supposed entrance. lu this duty, being much exi)osed to the intlueuce of noxious vapours, he soon afterwards was seized with fever aud jaundice, which shortened his days. 4S6 HISTORY OF THE [1843. Tlie yellow fever broke out at Bermuda in August, and con- tinued with unabated virulence and fatality until the middle of September. In that brief period, out of a strength of 105 men, it carried off no less than thirty-three men of the eighth com- pany and four men of the fourth, besides (Japtain Robert Fenwick, 11.E., in command of the latter, and Lieutenant James Jenkin, the Adjutant.-" The two coni'%'inie8 were dis- tributed to St. George's and Ireland Island ; at the former, where the fever chiefly raged, was the eighth company, about ninety strong, and at the latter tlie fourth. Eighty-eight men had been seized with the malady, of whom twenty-four were admitted with relapses, and four had suffered three seizures, none of whom died. Dr. Hunter, a civil physician, attended the cases in the absence of a military medical officer. With the civil population his practice was remarkably successful ; for out of 101 natives who took the fever only one died. He there- fore concluded that the artillery, who lost nine men, and the sappers thirty-seven, fell easy victims to the epidemic from their intemperate habits. No comparison, however, was justi- fiable between coloured people, upon whom the fever had but little effect, and Europeans : but an analysis of the cases, as far as the sappers were concerned, confirmed the doctor's views to the extent of sixteen men. The remainder, twenty-one, were men of sobriety and general good conduct. Lance-corporal Frederick Ilibling being the only non- commissioned oflScer not attacked, performed the whole duties of the eighth company, and for his exertions and exemplary conduct was promoted to the rank of second-corporal. Seven widows and twenty-two orphans were left destitute by this calamity, among whom a subscription (quickly made through the corps, assisted by many officei-s of royal engineers, nearly amounting to 200^.) was distributed, in proportion to their '" Mr. Jumt's Dawson, foreman of masons, formerly colour-sergeant in the eorps, also died during the fever. lie was a clever tradesman and overseer, and while in the sappers did good service at St. Helena, Corfu, and Bermuda. He was succeeded as foreman by sergeant John McKean, who was disciiarged in November, 1843, and still fills the appointment with ability aud faith- fulness. 1B43.1 IIOYAL SAPPEltS AND MINHHS. •127 necessities — one woman with six children receiving as much as 331. The lowest gift was lil. to a widow withont children. A monument of chaste and beautiful desijfn, consisting of a fluted column surmounted by an exploded bimib, resting on a neat and finely proportioned pedestal, was erected in the inili- tju-y burial-ground at St. George's, in mournful commemoration of the victims. On three j)anels of the pedestal were inscribed their names, and on the fourth was sculptured the royal arms and supporters. The work was executed by the surviving stonemasons of the company, and the royal arms were cut by j)rivato Walter Aitchison. On the 2(;th August, in the evening, the 'Missouri,' United States' steamer, Captain Newton, took fire in the bay of Gibraltar, and a detachment of the corps at the Rock was sent out by Sir Robert W^ilson, the Governor, in charge of two engines under Captain A. Gordon, R.E., to assist in extin- guishing the flames ; but all their diligence and intrepidity were unavailing, for the vessel was soon afterwards burnt to the water's edge. During the service the men were in much danger from falling masts and spars, and from the explosion of a powder-magazine on board. The Governor, in orders, thanked Caj)tain Gordon and other officers of royal engineers, and the non-commissioned officers and privates of royal sappers and miners, for the creditable and useful zeal displayed by them on the occasion ; and added, " that the marines, military, and boatmen of Gibraltar have the consoling reflection that nothing was left undone to save the vessel, and that the gallant crew was preserved by their united labour and devotedness." To each sapper employed at the fire was issued a pint of wine by his Excellency's order. One sergeant and thirty-three rank and file under Lieu- tenant T. B. Collinson, R.E., sailed for China in the ' Mount Stuart Elphinstone,' and landed at Hong Kong the 7th Oc- tober. A party of variable strength had been stationed there, employed superintending the Chinese artificers in carrying on the public works until July, 1854, when the sappers were recalled to England. Some of their first services embraced 428 HISTORY OF THE [1843. the construction of roads and sewers, the erection of barracits for the troops and quarters for the offic»!rs, with various mili- tary conveniences, such as stores, guard-houses, &c. A resi- dence was also built for the General in comniiind, and a sea-wall of granite to the cantonment on the north shore of the island. They also directed the (Jhinesc in cutting away a mountain to a plateau, of about eight acres, for a parade- ground, much of which was granite ; and the several exjjlosions rendered necessary to dislodge the mass were fired solely by sergeant Joseph Blnik. A company of Madras sappers also assisted in the sujKjrintendence of the coolies, who sometimes excet^ded a thousand in number. The working pay of the royal sappers and miners waa 1«. 6d. a-day each until the removal of the Eiist India Company's establishment, when the allowance was reduced to the ordinary payment of Is. each. Before the i)arty was quartered in barracks it was housed for a time in a bamboo hut and afterwards in a bungalow. The smiths and plumbers were invariably employed at their trades, as the Chinese were very incompetent in these branches of handicraft.^' On the 9th October his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Michael of Russia inspected the troops at AN'^oolwich, on the common. The royal sappers and mincre at the station were also drawn up with them, and (uarched past. Next day the Grand Duke, accompanied by Lord Bloomfield, visited the sappers' barracks, walked thrcugh the rooms, examined the carbine of the corps, and then looked over, with every mark of attention, the small museum of the non-commissioned officers attached to the library. On leaving, he expressed his gratifica- ti(m at what he saw, and of the efforts made by the soldiers to improve themselves. The percussion carbine and sword-bayonet, were generally adopted in the corps this year, superseding the flint-lock •' In May, 1851, when the tour of service of the detachment had expired, only six men were at the station to l)e relieved. The remainder comprised one discharged in China, who soon afterwards died, twelve invalided to England, and fifteen deaths. r .;i! nliurttr. ill a chttiTic, liie 8v>urU-i>ajfoii!.'' ■ icH 'or Hm^ "ifive"'**- fr>r all nmk» was at this icUes brofuL witb i'«p-ba!5 Mtromout id the ■ thou, as uott', ■^irpmitn- ••< iile. Utll wit'! n <» eial 1843.] ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 42!) musket and bayonet.'® The length of the musket with bayonet fixed was six feet two inches, but the carbine with sword was constructed an inch shorter. The carbine itself was nine inches and a-half shorter than the musket, but to make up for this reduction, and to enable a soldier to take his place in a charge, the sword-bayonet measured ten inches longer than the rapier-bayonet.^'' The shoulder-belt for the bayonet for '"11 ranks was at this time abolished, and a wiist-belt two inches broad, with cap-bag and sliding frog, subFlituted. Thio new accoutrement is the same as the present one ; and the breast-plate then, as now, bore the royal arms without supjjorters, within a union wreath, based by the word " Uhique," and surmounted by a crown. The sword-bayonet was this year worn vertically for the first time, instead of obliquely as formerly. The pouch-belt was not altered, but the pouch, the ramc as at present worn, reduced in dimensions, was made to contain thirty instead of sixty rounds of ball ammunition. The brush and pricker were now abolished. The sergeants' swords were also withdrawn, and their arms and appointments made to corre?i)ond with the rank and file, th ' 'ii'y difibrence being the addition of ornaments on the ji'„!ti''-l)(;;., which, with the waist-plate, were washed with gilt. '.' ;i!: f, "la.ients comprised a grenade bearing on the swell of the b;>;.i|i vii. voyal arms and supporters ; dettiched from this, underi.. '!'< was a scroll inscribed " lioi/al Sappers a>'d Miners" to which a ring was afiixed sustaining a chain united to a whistle , resembling an old round w.itcli tower ; the whistle its'T forming the battlemcnted crown, inscribed with the motto " Ubiqxe."^* These ornaments, the sugges- *• Arms of the percussion principle had been on *.ial in the corps since July, 1840. *• These figures would seem to make the carbine and sword 1^ inches longer than the old musket, hut the loss of the supposed additional length was occa- pi lied by the gi'eatcr depth of the socket required to give strength and staliility I 'lie — ci.) ."''i. The comparative weight of tlie two arms gave a reduction in tini'ur iif '.he carbine of 2 lbs. Sjozs. ** The idea for this ornament was taken from the martial custom among the Romans of presenting a nmrul coronet of gold or silver to the midaunted 430 lirSTORY OF THE [1843. tion of Major — now Colonel— Sandham, are still worn by the sergeants. The buglers' short sword with three guards was replaced this year by ■ mo after the pattern of the Ooylon rifles' band. The hilt forni i 'lamental Maltese cross with floury tei-mina- tions, and o,. flat between the horizontal limbs, above the blade, was an i ,/lodcd grenade. The blade was straight, two feet* ton inches long, and the mounting on the scabbard was chased and embellished. Tlie weapon is still worn by the buglers, and is altogether neat, pretty, and convenient. — See Plate XVIT., 1854. soldier who should first scale the walls of a city and enter the place. Bailey in his Dictionary of 1727 says, " It was given to the meanest soldier as well as t.ie greatest commander." As the assault of fortresses in sieves is the chief business of the sappers, the round tower with its mural crown on the sergeant's appointments, is an appropriate symbol for the :;orps. 1843. 1844.] by ' this The ^ iina- the two was 1 ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 431 1844. Remcasurement of La Caille's arc at the Cape— Reconnoitring excursion of sergeant Hemniiiig— Falkland Islands-Draft to Bermuda— Inspection at Gibraltar by General Sir Robert Wilson — Final operations against the ' Royal George '—and the ' Edgar '—Discovery of the amidships— incident connected with it— Combats with Crustacea— Success of corporal Jones- Injury to a diver— Private Skelton drowned— Conduct of the detachment employed in the work— Submarine repairs to the 'Tay ' steamer at Bermuda by corporal Harris— Widening and deepening the ship channel at St. George's— Intrepidity of corporal Harris— Acci- plied with a diving-helmet and suit from the dockyard, he went down and found part of her cutwater and keel and about twelve feet of plankin^f on her starboard side carried away. Forty-one times he dived in repairing the injury, and in three days so effectually finished his work that the vessel was enabled to ret .rn safely to England witli the mails. By an order Trom the Secretary of State for the Colonics, " Diseliargc'il with a pension of Is. lOi/. a-day, in April, 1848, and obtained from tlie Surveyor-General of Prisons thv' appointment of foreman over tlic contractors, on the part of the Government, at 5s. a- Jay. Sul)se reinforce- ment was removed to the dirt'erent military posts on the frontier.' The two coni])anies in the colony now reached a total of 174 of all ranks. This addition to the conmiand did not occasion an ' The voyage was full of incident. On the freight-ship, 'Gilbert Hender- son,' sailing from Woolwich, the crew mutinied and left her at the Nore. A fresh erew, chiefly foreigners, unable to speak Knglish, was engaged, and soon alter putting to sea, the ship took tire, but the exertions of the ('oni])any soon exiinguished it. Nciir Dungeness she ran on a sand-bunk, b.it by working all niglit, she was got off. When about a fortnight's sail I ni Port Klizabelh, she was overtaken by a heavy S(piall, wliicli carried away ilnr greater part of her gear, and her fore and main masts. To complete the rhapter of accidents, the discuibaikution took place in a heavy suif, and as b()at> refused to venture out, the men, women, and children were borne to land on the backs of nude blacks. I ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 445 augmentation to the corps, but reduced one company of the disj)osable force at home. The survey of Windsor, including the Home Park, Castle, Frogmore, and the Royal Gardens, undertaken by Her Majesty's comniand in 1843 by a party of about twenty non-commissioned officers and men of the survey companies, was completed in the summer of this year. Captain Tucker, R.E., had the direction of the work, and colour-sergeant Joseph Smith the executive cliargc. The drawings were accurately and very beautifully executed on a scale of five feet to a mile, which admitted of the fretwork of the ceilings being penned in for each a})artment of the castle. So excjuisitiely was the work jjcrformed, that the drawings by privates (Jharles Holland- and Patrick S. Ilogan'' ' Hocamc second-corporal, and aftor buing pensioned in April, 1847, returned i>.s a draughtsman to the ordnance map olfice at Southampton. He is, perhaps, the best man of his class in the department, and his drawings arc alwajs executed with fidelity aiul beauty. Fre(iucntly their neatness, and richness of colouring and ornament, give them an efiect truly artistic and pictorial. ^ Made an etching of the ' Adelaide Oak,' in the Home I'ark, wliich, sub- mitted by Sir Henry de la Heche to Lord Liverpool, obtained for him a com- plimentary introduction to Prince Albert. His Kojal Highness accepted the etching, and expressed himself much pleased with the beauty and minuteness of the execution. — ' Morning Post,' Saturday, August 19, 184,3. The tree had a pretty scat hut nearly half round the bottom of its trunk, and in another part of it was a remarkable hollow occasioned by time. Her Majesty the (.Jueeu Dowager had been known freciueutly to sit reading; under its ample shade, and on that account it was considered to be her favourite oak. Hogan afterwards presented, through Colonel Wyl''i', an etching of the ' Victoria Oak,' in the Green Park, to the Prince; and His Uoyal Highness, in thanking the giver, expressed the admiration he felt for his talents as an artist, and rewarded him with the sum of 5/. These handsome pair of etchings are now the property of Her Slajesty. Hogan never received promotion in the corps, as he was un- qualiiied for comniand ; and being dischargeil, on the usual pension in January, 1845, soon afterwards emigrated to South Australia. An anecdote, which is unique in its way, may be added of this good easy man. At Trinity College, Dublin, he had gained prizes as an artist, but when he enlisteil, was as ignorant of the use of fire-arms as a child. Having fired blank cartridge in the usual routine of drill, he was considered to be ripe enough to enter up specifics soon restored them to health." Only one man became an invalid on tlie duty, urisin>f from an injury he s\istaincd by fallinjr from a shelvinrr bank, on account of which he was sent honi" and discharged. The royal engineers with their sappers and assistants were the first to penetrate these wilds and thi! first to open a way through their mazes. Scrambling throm-Ji an unbroken forest with snow-shoes on, interrupted at every step by stunted under- wood, not a little augmented their fatigues. Often the snow was hip deep ; and when the melting eonnneneed, the obstacles and toils of travelling became greater. The snow-shoes then became useless, and yet without them the men sank above their knees in half-thawed snow, and then had to wade througli the swamp. Streams in those seasons !)ecame rivers, and rivers deep torrents ; and such was the difficulty of pushing through the snow, that one party was four days going ten miles.' Diffictdties like tliese were more especially felt in the region embraced within the " sixty-four mile line." A vast prairie it was, thickly overgrown with tangled bush, undis- turbed for centuries, by the axe of industry. The full in- fluence of many a storm, however, had beaten down the forest and levelled trees too old to bear its blast. These lay across the track intersected and confused, just as the wind had blown them ; and the dense bush, climbing over the aged trunks, so matted the vegetation, that the trials of travelling were only overshot by the general hardships of tlie enterprise. There were perils too encountered of a serious character, whicli only stout frames and sturdy hearts could have conquered. On one occasion, corporal Owen Lonergan was sent to measure three check lines ; it waa biting cold at the time, and the ground was covered with snow some two or three feet deep. Though encumbered with an instrument, a greatcoat, and heavy clothes. « 'Corps Papers,' i., p. 108, 109. 7 Ibid., i., p. 114. 1846.] liOYAI, SAI'l'KlJS AND MlN'EItS. 453 ho ctitcred with spirit ii])oii his work and rnpidly cojiiplctod two of the cheeks, hut on comnienciiiwi'r. 'I'hc snow l)y this tlim- was very liiffli, and it was only hy supcrhuinan cH'ort, sustained for several hours, that he sucreeded in iii.'sterinj^ the ditHculties of his situation, and rejraininjr his iiiit Itefore nifrhtfali. Tlio survey of tiie sixty-four mile line was important hecause of tile iieeessity imposed hy the treaty of makinjj it rigidly strait. A force of lahouren', jruided in the duty hy the most intellijrent men with the eominissi(Mi, fu-st struck out the line as indicated by astro- nomical observation. When tliis preliminary trace was ett'ected, r>tlier labourers, in stroii<^ batches, "directed by lum-commissioned ullicers of the sa])pers and miners were sent to cut the whole line thirty feet wide, cleariiijj a way in tlu^ centre, of about eight feet wide, but leaving the other jiart with the stumjis breast highaiiu the trees as they had fallen. Tiiese parties were guided in their cuttings by the marks which had been sot up on tiie ridges at no very great distances apart from each other. When tlu" line had been thus cut out from end to end, a transit instrument was sent throug'i it, adjusting correctly all the station jioles, and insuring tiie straightness of the line beyond all doubt." '^ At t'u! termination of the survey, Lieutenant-Colonel Est- court tlms wrote of the conduct and services of the detach- ment : " 1 beg to acknowledge the valuable asLMstance they have rendered. The character of the duties intrusted to them has been such as must have been given to an officer had they not been attached to tlit- commission, entailing th •veby a great additional expense, not only on the score of wages, but also of equipment and assistance ; and I doubt whether the work w(mld have In'on better executed. All that was expected, therefore, from their einpU)yineiit has been fully realized ; their efficiency in the field, and their general good conduct and respectiibility, have been very creditable to them and to their corps. Those who are now about to leave us, and have been at NVashington during all our residence here, deservo " 'Corps Papers,' i., p. 124, 404 HISTORY OP THE [1846. the liighest commendation for their uniform good conduct. In no singl' instance has there been the least occasion for complaint or even remark." In his orders to the detachment at parting, he reiterated the oUDstance of the above tribute, and spoke of the unmixed satisfaction he would look back upon the whole of his intercourse with the sappers. The survey pay of the men, in addition to their regunental pay, ranged between 2s. lOd. and Ss. dd. a-day, and free rations and hotel expenses were also allowerl them." Tlie war in Kaffirland again broke out this year and afforded ample employment for the two companies of the corps, which were scattered in sections to the several posts on the frontier. A small detachment of sappers appears to have been the first troops to meet with hostile interruption in the prosecution of its duties, and the circumstance is quaintly alluded to in the following free metrical cu^'sion of a facetious alarmist: — " There w.^ a stir in KuuirlaDd one morning, A cUief with Gccernment some gronud disputed ; And then he rery fairly sent us warning Our plans and his were totally unsuited : So Colonel Hare, as did of old, Mahomet, Call'd for his boots, and flar'd up like a comet. " Meanwhile Sandeli, who's a lad of metal, Swore that the sappers should not light a fire To cook their dinners or to boil their kettle ; And so— denouncing on them vnjfeance dire, — He bid them pack their tools and strike their touts. And made believe to seize their instruments."'"' The I'ature of the service upon which the companies were " The senior non-commissioned olhcer, sergeau^, James Mulligan, was much noticed for his attainments and exertions. His duties with tlie commission were of a nature to require the exercise of patience and resolution, and de- manded always a scrupulous, unremitting attention. In this he was never found to fail, but rendered valuable services, " which," adds Colonel Estcourt, " few civilians could have undertaken, or, if capable, would not have under- ♦■'Iten, but for the highest salary." Mulligan's survey-pay was .3s. 9(/. a-day. Afte.- hi" discharge, in September, 1846, he was awarded, for his high merit, a silver medal, and a spc-ial gratuity of 25/. On leaving the corps he retired, with ample pecuniary means, to Ireland. '" "The Alarm," in 'United Service Magazine,' 1840, ii., p. 383. I 1846.] UOYAL SAPPERI^ AND .MINERS. 450 employed precluded them from taking any very active or pro- minent share in the operations of the campaign, or of their numbers being collected in any force to render their movements impressive and conspicuous ; nevertheless, as opportunities of- fered of withdrawing them from their more pacific duties, they were made to participate with the other troops in the harassing war w'uch, without intermission, continued with vigour until the V mter. Corporal Benjamin Castledine, ordered to proceed from Fort Beaufort to Post Victoria, started on the 21st March, 184G, with a gunner of the royal artillery who was ari.ied with a sword only, in charge of a waggon with twelve oxen and two natives — a driver and a leader — who had one musket between them. In crosa'aig a drift, after marching seven miles, the oxen were knocked uj), and the corporal sent the driver bark for more cattle. At night the corporal ^took tura as sentry with the artilleryman. Next morning at daylight, the leader was ordered to collect the cattle then gi-azing about three hundred yards oif ; but while away, shots were heard in the direction he had token. The corporal, leaving the waggon in charge of the artilleryman, ran to the banks of the drift, and before he had time to seek cover in the bush, was met by a volley from several armed Kaffirs, who had already wounded the leauer and taken his gun. The corporal stood his ground^ and wounding two of their number by his correct firing, tbr> rest carried ott the injured men avid drove away the corporal's cattle. Luckily, soon afterwards, a patrol of one sergeant and seven men of the 7th drago(3n guards came up, and hearing what had happened, they pursued the Kaflirs and retook the oxen. The corporal with liis escort and cattle, exce])t two of the latter, which were lost on the road from exhaustion, re- sumed the route and reached Post \'ictoria on the 22nd March. Colonel Somerset, then commanding the fronti(>r, hearing through Lieutenant Stokes, ll.E., of the affair, gave corporal CastleJine much credit for his conduct. This was the first skiru'isli in the war. I'roiii the ItJtli to 18th April three men served with a den.-- 466 HISTORY OP THE [1846. Liy his vices. A drunkard, in the most degraded sense of the word, no one regretted, when his service expired, to see him ijuit the corps. 458 HISTORY OF THE [1846. From the 16th July to 13th September, twelve men con- structed a field-work for the protection of the camp at ^^'^aterloo Riy under Lieutenant Owen, R.E. From 2()th July to 12th September, thirty-eight non-C(>m- missioned officers and men served in the field with the first division during Sir Peregrine Maitland's attack on the Amatola mountains ; and under the direction of (^^iptain Iloworth, R.E., restored Fort Cox. On the 29th July the camp on the Auiatola flats was attacked by the enemy, and sergeant Josej)h Barns of the corps was killed. Seven men under Lieutenant Bourcliier were present, from the 25tl' to 30th August, with Colonel Somerset's ])atrol be- tween the Fisli river and the Keiskama. On 24th October, the Swellandam native infantry at Fort Beaufort, directed to escort waggons to Waterloo Bay, marched from the parade, contrary to the remonstrances of their officers towards Graham's Town. There were about 350 of the levy present, and the simultjmeous and unhesitating movement of the mutineers, gave reason to fear that the conspiracy was well organized. Captain Ward, of the 91st regiment, the com- mandant, at once ordered the two artillerymen and five i^apptrs under corporal Edward Barnecoat to follow in jnirsuit with the three-pounder howitzer. This was all the connnandant's force. The gun was up in a few minutes, and bounding down the street, reached the bridge, where halting, the ca])tain ordered the howitzer to be jmt in action. With only eight men (Japtain Ward thought it imprudent to proceed further. Trying the effect of firing three rounds of blank ammunition, the mutineers pushed uj) the acclivity with increased sj)eed at every discharge, and reforming on its brow, seemed disposed to hazard a fight. At this moment a detachment of the 90th regiment — which happened to be at the fort on escort duty — pressed up to the bridge. Immediately the gun was limbered up and when the little colinnn was about to scale the height, Colonel Richardson, who had now arrived, countermanded the order to advance. AV'ith only a handful of men, there wais but a remote chance of success against 350 exasi)erated rebels all armed and posted on ri846. 1846.] ROYAL SArPEUS AND MINERS. 4fi9 J commanding ground ; and so swayed by merciful considera- tions the colonel employed two missionaries to parley with the misguided men, who, soon, in great part, returned to their allegiance." These comprise the active services of the companies during the year, in which, though the parties do not appear to have gained any mention in dispatches or reports for their conduct and efficiency, they always behaved like good soldiers, and spared no exertion to accomplish the objects for which they were employed. They were likewise much harassed on varied escort duty, such as conveying from fort to fort waggons with ammunition, provisions, and wounded men, and took part in all those multifarious services, carried on at twenty different frontier posts and forts, which the character of that desultory and pe- culiar warfare continually exacted. In April, the small blocked epaulettes were superseded by others with loose twisted cords of three inches long suspended from a raised corded crescent. Those for the sergeants and staff-sergeants were of the artillery pattern — long loose gold fringe and gilt crescent to correspond with the privates' epau- lettes. The shoulder-strap for the sergeants and other ranks was of blue cloth faced with gold lace. The staff-sergeants' epaulettes continued boxed as before, with a full laced gold strap edged with raised embroidered wire, and a gilt crescent, but the bullion was longer than formerly. The collar of the coatee for all ranks, which had a triangular-shaped piece of scarlet cloth at the back, was this year entirely of blue cloth, but laced as before, with rectangular loops. The alteration was made to give, in appearance, breadth and squareness to the men's shoulders. Corporal John Rae, second-corporal John Mealcy and eighteen men, were employed from the 8th June to the 17th Augi it, in executing some underground works for the drainage ol ' indsor. These consisted of a tunnel or cutting from the ent. a >, of the long walk to the north side of the quadrangle '•* Mrs. ."nril'ii 'Cape aud the KuflSrs,' Holm's edit., 1851, pp. 145-147. 460 HISTORY OF TIIR [1846. \^ uy of the castle, and also the excavation of a driftway under the north front, moving cast and west. The tunnel was approached from st'veral circular shafts 4 feet 6 inches in diameter, of an average depth of ahout 2b feet ; and the gallery — the height of which was six feet, and width 4 feet 6 inches — was driven between 750 and 800 feet through chalk, flint, made earth, old moats, and crumbling vaults and foundations; and, not- withstanding the difficulties of the work, was prosecuted with such exactness, that the line of driving between the shafts, was rarely more than an inch or two out of its true level. Indeed, it was remarked that the tunnel, commenced at opposite sides of the castle, was so correct in its progress, that on reaching the centre, there did not exist two inches of difference where the tunnels merged into one.''' In hazardous earth, mining frames and sheeting were resorted to, but even these expedients, at times, did not prevent the earth from falling and impeding the workmen. Thirty civil labourers worked the windlasses and drove the barrows for the party. All hands worked from five in the morning until half-past six in the evening, and made by their exertions, seven days and a half a-week, at Is. 6c?. each a-day. Captain Vetch, late of the corps, was the engineer for the work, and Lieutenant the Honourable H. F. Keane, com- manded the detachment. The Board of \Voods and Forests paid the expenses of the undertaking, and praised the skill and energy with which the excavations had been conducted and completed. The Lords Commissioners of Iler Majesty's Treasury also acknowledged the great advantage which re- sulted from the employment of the sappers on the occasion. Sergeant Philip (Jlark and eleven rank and file embarked at Deptford, in the ' Blenheim,' on the 3rd of June, 1H46, for the territories of the Hudson's Bay Company. A detachment of artillery, and three companies of the (ith foot, under the com- mand of Lieutenant-C^olonel (Jrofton, were also with the expe- dition. The emj)loyment of this small force on the Bed River was occasioned by the menacing hauteur of the Americans 1^ The 'TijiK's,' August 19, 184fi. 184(5.1 ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 40 1 at rcsj)octing the Oregon tLM-ritory, which at this j)eriod was a nioniontoiis question between the two countries ; but fortunately, the dispute terminated in a treaty wliich settled amicably the national differences. The party was composed of excellent mechanics and well- conducted men, two of whom were also good surveyors and draughtsmen. Thre(! chronometers and barometers, with mea- suring chains and surveying instruments, were jjlaced in charge of sergeant Clark. Cajjtaiu II. (,'. II Moody, R.E., took command of the party on its landing at York Factory on the 14th of August, and subsequently, for about a year, the com- mand was held by Captain Boatty, RE. It was not intended to attach the sappers to the divisions of the troops in pushing up the country, but to employ them on services for which thoy were more peculiarly adapted, such as measuring the heights of the several falls in the course of the rivers that occasion the necessity for the portages, and im- proving the latter whenever any short proceeding would give them facilities for doing it : also cutting, on prominent objects, bench marks to show the height of the water for the information of travellers, and embodying in memoranda a description of tlu> nature of the ground traversed and the features of the country, with suggestions for improving the passage. Owing, however, to the scaicity of officers, the colonel in command could not permit the employment of the detachment in this manner. Accordingly, eight men accompanied the first division of tlie force, two the second, and two, with Cai)tain Moody, the third. The first party took the barometers ; and the chronometers were taken by the two surveyors in the 3rd brigade. In con- cert with the trooj)s, they tracked, haided, rowed, and ])oled the boats the whole way to Fort Garry ; and, notwithstanding the intensity of the cold, such was the nature of the duty, it required them in its execution, to go barefooted with thftir trousers tied above the knee. At night, for a few hours only, they slept under canvas frequently in wet clothes, upon the damp snow-covered ground. The distance traversed was about 400 miles, through swamps and rapids, over rocky islets, and 469 HISTORY OF THE [1846. up and down steep and slippery banks and declivities ; and the operation, one of immense difficulty and peril, was not achieved without much laboiu- and discomfort. At each portage, sergeant Clark himself carried the chrono- meters, and, after examining them, placed a sentry to watch them. He also measured the heights of the falls and took the difference of the levels. In shoal water, or in running the several rajnds, the delicate instruments were invariably removed from the boats to save them from shocks by bumping against hidden rocks and impediments. The chronometers were wound up every morning at nine o'clock, and the results and com- parative differences registered. Three times a day the indi- cations of the barometers, the changes in the atmosphere, and the force and direction of the wind were registered, and these observations were recorded until the expedition quitted the settlement. Sergeant Clark and private Robert Penton showed great zeal and intelligence in the mariner they carried out their scien- tific duties on the route, and corporal Thomas R. Macphersoii, who had charge of the party that accompanied the first brigade from York Factory, was commended for the notes he took of the route, and for the report he framed thereon. At Lower Fort Garry, the troops, under the officers of engi- neers, with the sappers as overseers, made a trench round the fortress, and cleared away the wood contiguous to it for 300 yards in every direction. A varying party was detached with corporal Macpherson to Upper Fort Garry ; and at both places, the sappers carried out all those services which the nature of the settlement and the weather made indispensable for the health and accommodation of the troops. While at work the detachment wore leather jackets and trousers. In the second year of the station, corporal Macpherson with one sjipper was sent to York Factory, and returned in charge of the magnetic and other instruments left there the year before. Although the intricacies of the passage were considerable, in- crciised by the necessity of personally carrying'the cases over the portages, he safely conveyed them to the fort without detriment 1846.] HOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 4G3 or derangement. Some of the party were employed at intervals, in the survey of portions of the Assimboine, Saskatchewan and Red llivers, and corporal Macpherson " and second-cor])oraI Penton, under Captain Moody, examined and exj)lored the country in the vicinity of the bouadary line of the United States at Pambina. On the 3rd of August, 1848, the sappers quitted Fort Garry under the command of Captain Blackwood Price, R.A. — Caj)tain Moody having then returned to Canada — and after completing the arduous and fatiguing descent to York Factory, tlicy embarked there on the 24:th of August, and landed at \\'oolwich, 18th of October, 1848. Both Lieutenant-(\iloncl (^rofton, and Major Griffiths, his successor in command, awarded an honourable meed of approbation to the detachment for its exemplary conduct and services ; but sergeant Clark was par- ticularly noticed by the former for his attainments and ready zeal. " His exertions," adds the Colonel, " were never wanting, " In the life of some men tliere happen singular incidents, which give either a romantic or a strangely-degraded cast to their career. In this category cor- poral Macpherson may be fairly included. He was a very talented and supe- rior artificer, and his general knowledge and experience made his services conspicuous. At Hytlie he absented himself, and leaving his clothes on the bank of the canal, a belief prevailed that he was drowned ; he, however, turned up about a year afterwards, and was convicted of the crime of desertion. IJut soon gaining favour by his diligence and talents, he rose rapidly to the rank of sergeant, and was entrusted with responsible duties at Gibraltar, Hudson's Bay, and finally in Nova Scotia. At Halifax he again deserted, with 20G/. of the public money, but a vigilant piquet being on his trail, he was apprehended at Annapolis, fortimately for the captain of his company, with the whole of the treasure in his pocket. Being tried and convicted he was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation. A review of his useful services, and the humane inter- cession of Colonel Savage. U.K., his commanding officer, obtained for him a full pardon— only to be followed by the basest ingratitude and crime. A few months elapsed, and the forgiven felon « third time deserted. On the passage to the States he robbed a gentleman with whom he got into conversation, but as the theft was discovered before the debarkation took place, the gentleman repossessed his money, and a gold watch supposed to be stolen. On landing, the gentlemau took steps for the apprehension of the delinquent, but, by artful remonstrances, he made the public believe that the reason of his arrest w.is not for theft as alleged, but for desertion from the British service. At once the mob sympathized with his fate, rescued him from custody, and he is now at large in the States. The gold ivateli, brought to Halifax by the gentleman, proved to be the property of a comrade. 464 HISTORY OF THE fI84(i. even in matters not in immediate connexion with the corps, and to him I owe the good arranjjfnments made for the garrison library, in aid of which, liis sc>rvicos as lihrarinn were cht'crfully given without gratuity.""' Sergeant (Mark, corporal Macplierson and second-corporal Penton," receivinl promotion for their useful exertions on this expedition. '" Sergeant Clark was brought up in the royal military asylum. He was for gome years on tlie survey ol' Ireland, ami by subsequent application, became a fair surveyor and diiinglitsnian. He scv • d a station at C'uil'ii before going to Hudson's Hay, and subsequently pasM iw years as colour-sergeant of the 2Uth company, at Freemantle, Western Australia. '^ An enterprising and superior surveyor. He was importantly employed in 184;) in the determination of tlie longitude of Valentia, and is now a sergeant at Halifax, Nova Scotia, whither he had been sent to superintend the laying of usphalte. It 1840.] KOYAF, SAl'l'KltS A.VI> MINKIiS. 4(15 1H16. Exploration survey for a railway in North America — Services of the party eiiii)loyt'd on it — Personal services of serjieant A. (^alder— Augmentation to the corps — Heinl'orcenient to Cliina — Kecall of a company from lierniuda - lioyal presents to the rcadiug-rooni at Southauii>ton Inspection at (iihraltar hy Sir Robert Wilson — Third c(mipany ])hieed at the disposal of tlie lioiird of Works in Ireland— Serjeant J. Haston — Services of the company — Dis- tinguished from the works controlled hy the civilians— Gallantry of private G. Windsor— Coolness of private E. West — Intri pid and usefid services of private William Haker — Sun'ey of Southampton, and its incomparahle nnip. Seugeant ALEXAxniiR ('ai.deu and seven rank and file of the survey companies embarked at Liveri)ool in the ' Britannia ' steain-ship, and landed at Halifax, 2nd July. Subsequently, the party was in' cased by the arrival of four rank and file who had been eniployed on the boundary survey in the state of Maine. This detachment, with two pensioner non-connnissioned officers of the corps, served under the direction of Captain ripon,' and afterwards of Lieutenant E. Y. W. Henderson and Major Robinson, ll.E., in surveying the coiuitry between Quebec and Halifax, to ascertiiin the best route for a railway to connect the provinces. The pfirty Avas dressed in ])lain clothes, and for the service of the woods, fur caps, pea-coats, and over-boots were added. Five different routes, the projects of rival interests, were siu*- veyed, and the neighbouring forests and wilds, aboiniding with wood and water, explored. The forests were in their primeval state — dense and rugged. Pine trees were the chief growth, ' Accidentally drowned in the liestigouchc, 28th October, 184G. His body was identified hy private John Ashi)laut, and taken charge of hy him and sergeant (,'alder until its removal from Campbelltown to Fredericton. where it was interred in the public cemetery. vol,. I. 2 H 4(.m HISTORY OF THE [1840. and the j^oinul, ciicunibcred with sharp-pointi'd l)ranch('s< thntwii down l)y time or the violence of winds, f'omied a roir\dar ahnttis, and with a thick underjjrowth of slirul)s and bushes rendered the woods ahnost iiniKTvious. Parties explorinjr, as soon as they left the •''^i^rs or beaten tracks, had to cut their way before them riie difficu'/ies of carrying,' out the service were con- siderable. The hills bein< explored, the party, in .Septe^nlJ«!r, \HiH, returned to Kngland an«l re- joined the survey department. T\w jMirsonal services of serpeant ('alder on this duty are sufficiently interestinj^ to receive notice in this place ; and, with some little difference in points of duty and incident, nuiy be taken as an average type of the individual adventures of tl, al). Ibrcd' '.>) stretch their linihs under tlie snow-laden houghs of some dwarf trees, exposed to the keenness of the niglit frost. At last the ])arty arrived at a district known as the "CJarden of Paradist'" — a rugged and inhospitahle region, where the men wen; benevolently enter- tained by some wild Highland settlers. Soon afterwards the sergeant journeyed to Halifax, where he completed the plans and sections of his surveys, and returned to l^nvland after a service wini the exploration expedition of two years and three months.^ A large increase to the army and artillery led to a propor- ti< nate increase to the royal sajjjjcrs and miners. This was .sngire^^ed by Sir .Tohn Burgoyne, the inspector-general ol' forti- fications, to maintain a vutficient dis])osable force for employ- ment in a'ly military services rendered necessary by the exi- gencies of tlie times. Eight comi)anies were ordered to he added to the corps, but their formation was spread over three or four years. 'J'he tirst addition gave, on the 1st Ajjril, 1840, 1 i;ergeant, 1 coriwral, 1 second-corj)oral, and 8 privates to each of the 10 service companies ; and a ccmipany numbered the 12th, of 100 non-commissioned officers and men, was formed at the same tim(>. The .orps was thus raised in establislnnent from l,2'.tO to 1,.")00, and on tlie 1st Sej)tember it was further increased to 1,600, by the formation of the 15th company. 'I'he ( 'orfu company remained at its original establishment of (i2 .sergeants and rank and file. ■' Tliis non-coiimiissiimoil officer ao(,iuivd, in his curly MMvi;(', a sound KuowU'iljn' ot'siirvcjing in all its brano'ios. For more than cig iteen years he h;ul eliarge of larjre parties of surveyors and dranglilsnien, and his systematic hahits aunients of tasks, and had a general supervision of all arrangements in tlie field. More than six months they continued on this du;y, '" IliiU (-■harf.'i' iif the impleiiU'iit storo, at 4S, City-iiiiay, wliicli oiiiliractd the receipts and issues of thiiusaiids dC wheelbarrows and liaud-carls, and a great assortment of road and draiuinf; tools. These sergeant liaston was often em- ployed to purchase, and to obtain them ho perambulated both town and country. The duties entrusted to him were performed with promptitude, aceuraey, and lididity. Mr. M'Malion, the civil enj^ineer, found him an ex- ceedingly useful and zealous assistant, lie is now colour-sergeant in the corps; is a well-reail and talented man, and his iiualifieatioris as an artificer and overseer have rendered him capable of much higher employment. He joined the corps a lad, from tlu> royal niililary asylum, and his acquirements and usefulness have entirely arisen from his own applicalloii. licsidcs his liomo services, he has passed with credit about seventeen years at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Coit'u. 472 HISTORY OF THE [184(i, and returned to Woolwicli on the 8tli April, 1847, with a high character. The works superintended hy tliem were always distinguished from other works by the superior order and discijjline which they enforced, not unfrequently in circnnistances of frreat per- sonal danger, and during a winter of unusual severity. In detecting frauds and correcting abuses they were found par- ticularly valuable ; and their uniform zeal, ability and good conduct, m('t with the perfect satisfaction of the Board of Works and the Lords of the Treasury. Even l^aniel O'Connell spoke favourably of their employment.' The working pay of the men while under the relief board ranged between Is. and 2s. ticZ. a-day. While on this novel service, i)rivate George Windsor, rom the upright way in which he jierformed his duty, made hi" jelf obnoxious to the peasantry in the lawless district of ('room ; and but for the gallantry with which he defended himself, would jn'obably hav(> lost his life. On the 2(5tli December tliis private was employed in the barony of Cashma on the Pullough line of road, and on passing down the line in advance of the check clerk and a number of labourers, &c., was met by two persons dressed in women's clothes, with veils banging from their boimets covering their faces. One was armed with a gun, the other with a pistol. Presenting their ])ieces, they ordered him to kneel, b\it this the ])rivate refused, and though he was iniarmed, tlie ruffians at once closed upon him. At this moment Windsor seized the person armed with the pistol, (dex- terously thrusting his finizcr between the trigger and the guard ) and getting hold of his tin-oat with the other hand, they fell together, fortunately Ui . .; ' •' way that ilie desjttrado with the gun could not, without injuring his accomplice, shoot the sa|)p(>r. lie, therefore, beat ^\'ind^()r witii tlie butt-enil of liis piece. S<;veral minutes the struggle was maintaini'd .strangely enough in the presence of a large nu'.uber of stewards and hd)ourers ; and had he met with th(> slightest assistance from any of them, would have captured both the offenders; but " Till' ' Timi';i,' Novomlier 4, I84fi. 184(5. J EOYAL SAPPEIJS AND MINERS. 473 and iiuTCMlulous as it may appear, it must be added to the disgrace of Irislimen that, just as he had overpowered tlie ruffian with tlie j)ist()l, a man named Joseph l.indsay" — brother to the check clerk — came forward, and dish)dging Windsor's grasp, ai(h'd the parties to decamp ! For his spirited and manly con- duct in the attack, private Windsor was promoted to be second- corjjoral. Private Edward West reccivod three threatening notices through the post-office warning him not to appear at work ;\>ram on pain of death, adding th.it, if he did, he should " drop into a bit of a hole already dug Ibr his carcase." Unmoved by tliese missives, the private was always the first on the line ; and when the labourers were collected, he told tliein he had received the notices, and then burning them in their presence, observ(Hl in a loud voice, " that would be the way his intended nuu-derers would be served at another time." Once he was attacked by a party from behind a hedge with stones. Struck on the head, he was stunned for a few moments, and nearly fell. On recovering, he boldly dashed over the hedge to meet his assailants, but the cowards made a ])recii)itate retreat. Thirty nuMi sus))ected of being concerned in the assault were at once dismissed from employment. Six other men were promoted for their coolness, as well as tact and fidelity, in carrying on their apjjointed services. Of these private \Villiam Baker was perhaps the most conspicuous. A brief detail of his services will show the nature of his duties and the diificulties he had to contend with. Detached to Slionkeragh, eight [rish miles from Uoscoumifm, he was placed over a number of labourers wlu) were in the last stage; of insubordination. At first they took their own time of going to >v(iik and quitting it, altliouali the reynlations recpiired them to be present from 7 a.m. till ',> i'..\i. To train them to piuictuality was not an easy matter, but by checking tliiMii and carrying out a firm discipline he soon gained his point. Tluit there siiould he no excuse for absence, he eni])]oyed a strong hoy to iilow a ' Ariurwunls trii'd and loiivittod t'i>r lliu oll'iia'i' at the I/iimriok S-priiig Assizi'S, IS4:.— 'Siuiiidi'rs's Ncws-l.ottiT,' Maivli !l, 1847. 474 IIISTOKY OP THK [1846. tin Iiorn on the top of the highest hill, central among the cabins of the workmen, to cull tliem to work, and at its sound tlie rapid gathering of the poor at the rendezvous, on all occaaions, showed their willingness to be guided by any useful reform. This command over a half-civilized class of men made his services very desirable in irregular districts ; and among several places where he was beneticially employed was Drumshanaugh — a desolate spot where a knot of Molly Maguires hold sway, and obtained payment without work, by intimidating the civil overseers, who feared the consequences of not yielding to their exactions. The farmers' sons and others who had jilenty of cattle were receiving id. a day more than the jjoople who really did work, and 300?. in this way were j)aid for bad labour not worth bOl. AVith these labourers he had a trying duty to [)erforin ; but, amid threats and insubordination, he cahuly effected his purpose, and sujjjjressed both the spirit of turbulence and the jn-actice of fraud. Till! labourers received from id. to Sd. and 9\ dug out and heaped up, tiiey were paid by the cubic yard ; but often these heaps were merely i 1846. 184G.J liOYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 47« suporticial. In every siucli case ])rivato Baker had the mass ])ulle(l down and solidly r('])ilcd. Acts of repetition were fol- lowed hy the dismissal of the delinquents, despite the danij:er it involved. When this cheat failed they resorted to another, hy rolling largo stones into the heaps from adjacent jdaces ; hut as these always bore unniistiikeable evidence of exposure to rain and wear, tlie private never omitted to reject them from the pile. On several occasions when threatening notices of death were ])osted up prohihiting the civil overseers and check-clerks from returning to a j)articular line, a car was despatched, even at niidniglit, to hring private Baker to the excited astrict. Next morning, api)earinji' at his dangerous post, unarmed, he would pacify or humour the desperados into order and tran'iuillity. When a jiay-clerk was discharged, the regular ])ayments were for a time interrupted, and the labourers wouhl clamour for a settlement. In Baker's district there were four linos, three of which were sujjerintended by civilians : the labourers on them were about 700. These threatened daily to go in a body to Boyle, and, should they fail to get their pi;y, to take the lives of the engineer and his clerks, and burn down the town. Baker represented the state of attairs to the authorities ; and on his own reconnnendation obtained j)ermission from Boyle to give checks fur meal u\mu a tradesman in Carrick-on-Sliaunon. By this means he fed tiie peoi)le, and kejjt their irritation in suc- HOHsfiil (ilii'ck. These periods of disorder occurred two or three times, till piiy-clerks wco a])pointed to succeed those who were disciiarged or had resigned. The pay-clerks seldom j)aid with- out tlu! protection sed. Several civil overseers were, however, afraid to place tlieiuselves in oj)])osition to the pojtuliice ; and a sa])j)er working on one line has in such instances heen sent to another to jtert'orm the.dnty. Tliis, of conrse, produced unich ill- feeling against the sajjpers ; hut heyond a few threats and an occasional attack, the sappers passed from the country without material hurt. Tlie survey of Southampton was completed late this year for the Southampton Improvement Board. A detachment of the corps, directed hy (Jajjtain Yolland, Il.E., under the local sni)erintendence of sergeant William ("amphell, executed the work. The map, on a scale of GO inches to a mile, occupies thirty-five large sheets, which have been magnificently bound in bureau folio, and placed in the municipal archives of the town. Sergeant (Jamphell attended at a meeting of the Commissioners on the 31st March, 1847, and presented the map, on the part of the Ordnance to the (Jorjjoration. The work is one of extreme beauty. A more artistical display of ornamental sur- veying does not exist. The stonework of the pavement, the styles of the j)ublic buildings, the nmsonry of the graving-dock, the undulation of the silt on the shores, and small streams of water running into it from the coast, the gardens of private houses, and the trees and shrubberies of the connnon, are all delineated with a minuteness of detail and beauty of colouring unexampled in any town map in England. Even the maj) of Windsor, which obtained the approbation of Her Majesty for its accuracy and exquisite finish, is much inferior to the map of Southampton. The draughtsmen were second-corporals Charles Holland" and Cleorge Vincent, with Patrick Hogan," late royal sappers and miners, and Mr. Maclachlan."^ The (Com- missioners of the town gave a mianimons vote of thanks to ('aptain Yolland, the sappers, anstimonial of the Commissioners' high approbation of tlu; work ;" hut the intended honour, on military grounds, was di'cliued.''' '•' ' Ilampshiro Advortisei-.' April .'!, 1847. 478 HISTORY OF TIIK 1847. 1847. netachmcnls III South Australia— Corponil W. Forrest — Augiuciiliitiou to tin" corps — Di'strut'tion of tlie Hojiuc and other torts— Services of the iletaoh- nu'ut at C'antou — First sidnonsly to th(! discharge of their duties, and were ccpial to any services which they mijrht be called upon to perform." ' Thirty-five non-connnissioned officers and men accompanied the exj)edition from Hong Kong to ('anton, under Captain Durnford and Lieutenant Da Costa, H.lv, and were jn-esent at the capture of the Bogue and other forts in the Canton river on the 2nd and 3rd April. The forts taken were fourteen in nuud)er, and 8r>,') heavy guns were rendered useless by spiking, while a number of barbaric weapons were ca])tured.'' The sapi)ers were in advance, and openiul the gates of the forts for the assaults, and afterwards destroyed the magazines and assisted to s))ike the guns. Privates James (^nnmins and James Smith ])laced the ])owder-bags on the gatcs.^ Corjioral Hugh Smith ^ laid the trains to two forts, and was favourably the known portions of tho colony, and connected all the detached sun-eys with the trigonometrical stations. This service he conducted in a most satisfactory and eieditalile manner. Iteturninj; to Kn^lanil, he was discliarped in April, lH-48, and is now li.ii.,-, ir. ease and comfort, at Edinburgh on liis pension and his savings. " Debates in the 'Times,' March fi, 1487. '■' About twenty c'tJiese curious arms, all of the spear form, but grotesquely varied, are in tlw modi I room of the royal engineer establishment at Chatham. * IJoth died in China; the former on the IStli August, and the latter l.')th September, 1847. ■■ Discharged &th October, IS.'id. He was then a sergeant. See nittc, Syria, 1841. ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // :/. % 1.0 I.I |5o ■^™ H^H itt ^ 12.2 MUU 11.25 ill 1.4 i 1.6 ^^^ v) /: 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation 13 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 / 4S0 HISTORY OF THE ri847. mentioned by Major Aldrich, R.E., to Sir John Davis, the Governor, and Major-General D'Aguihir. Sergeants Joseph Blaik' and Benjamin Darley' conspicuously distinguished themselves : the former blew in the gate of Zigzag Fort, and the latter blew up the magazine at Napier's Fort. At Canton the sappers were employed in barricading streets, making scaling-ladders, &c., and pulling down houses, walls, and other obstructions required to be removed. " My own observations," wrote Colonel Philljwtts, the commanding royal engineer in China, " of the cheerful and ready manner in which they at all times performed their various and arduous duties by day, and often by night, demands my most marked ajjjjro- bation." The gallant conduct of sergeant Blaik attracted tlie notice of iSIajor-General D'Aguilar, for which he was promoted to the rank of colour-sergeant. The whole detaclnnent remained at Canton until the 8th April ; but on the troops quitting for Hong Kong four of the sappers were left behind, and assisted Lieutenant Da Costa, R.E., in making a survey of tho Eurojx'an factories at that commercial emporium, until the 14th May, 1 847, when they rejoined the detachment at Victoria. On the 10th April one sergeant and twelve rank and file embarked at Deptford on board the ' Ramilies,' and landed at Auckland, New Zealand, on the 9th August. This was the first party of the corps detached to that remote settlement. From April to June one sergeant and twelve rank and file from Chatliam, under Captain McKerlie, R.E., assisted in tiie survey and contouring of Dover, within a range of a thous5. 256, 271, 291, 379, 426, 434, 440, 441, 470 Berry, William, private, 267 Berryliead, 105 Bethell, private, 36 Biggs, private, 415 Binncy, Lieutenant, 434 Birch, Captain, 152, 180 Black, William, sergeant, 299, 300, 301, 364, 365, 367 Blackadder, corporal, 193 Blndensburg, 223 Blailc, .loseph, sergeant, 399, 428, 480 Blair, corporal, 5 Blansliard, Captain, 215,223; Major, 206, 289, 303 BIytli, sergeant, 1 8 , ISand, submarine demolitions at, 399 Board of Works, Ireland, 471—476 Bogue forts, 479 Bombarde, 103 Bonavia, Sub-I.ieutenant, 155 Bond, William, private, 193 Booth, Sub-Lieutenant, 194, 196 Booth, Ensign, 6 Boothby, Captain, 170 Borl.and, private, 204 Borthwick, corporal, 182 Boteler, Captain, 207, 267 Boundary survey. See "America " Bourchier, Lieutenant, 399, 456—458 Bows, private, 93 Boycr, fort, 225 Brabant, private, 351 Braid, private, 207 Brand, cori)oral, 5; sergeant, 20, 34; Lieutenant, 33 — 36 Brandreth, Lieutenant, 270, 279, 282 Brennan, John, private, 218, 219 Bridges, Lic-utenant, 84 ; Lieutenimt- Colonel, »■) 1 , ser ,eai t-major, 3, 5 Brighton, 84 Bristo, private fl4, 95 Broughton, Capiain, 356, 37f>, 449 Brown, Captain, 227 , Daniel, coi'jMirnl, 149, 275 , (leorge, private, 17. 28 , (luarterniasler-sergeant, 364, 307 — — , .lohn, scrgeiuit, 6 , Tlionins, sergeant, 254 , willow. Sultana of >Iorocco, 7 Browne, sergeant-major. 111, 132 Browning, private, 393 Brownrigg, Lieutenant, 117, 118 Bruges, 117 Brussels, 230, 234 Bruyeres, Captain, 105 Bryce, Captain, 129, 132, 137; Lieutenant- Colonel, 171 Buchanan, Captain, 173, 189 Buenos Ayres, 153, 162 Bugles ailopteevclin, corpornl, 19-1 Dickena, l.ieiitonnnt, r.O; Colonel, 154 , Cnptnin, 206 DisnfTeotion of coips, 81 DI.Hclplinc of corps, 51, 245, 25t Diving. See " Deniolitiuna " Do(l(la, private, 204 Donnelly, Ileniy, corporal, 2H5 Doran, private, lO.'t Douglas, ArcliiliaM, private, 94 , James, private, 117, 175,; corporal, 191 Doull, Alexander, Mr., 345, 405 Douro, 201 Dover, 105, 132, 149, 157, 184, 248, 480 , lioiind Down t'liirat, 415 Dowling, William, private, 207 Down, John, corporal, 323 Dowse, Lieutenant, 92, 93 Dress, 47—50, 09—71, 79, 90, 99, 114, 133, 140, 197,247,249,2.58, 262, 263, 279—281, 287, 292, 305, 371, 459 Drew, Lieutenant, 68 , Major, U.A., 68 Drumniond, William, pivatc, 86 , Captain, 268 Drums abolished, 247 Drunkenness, 90 Dublin, 425, 471 Duncan, Andrew, private, 359 ; corporal, 408 Dundas's drill, 84 Dunkirk, sioge of, 85 Dunn, J.imes, private, 204 Dunnett,'sergeaiit, 272, 276, 277 Duplat, Captjiin, 303 Duport, Captain, K.A., 248 Durant, private, 194 Durham, Lord, 324 Dumford, Elias, Colonel, 86, 90, 93 , Lieutenant, P 5, 92 ; Colonel, 276, 278 , E. W., Colonel, 73 , E.W., Lieutenant, 261 , Captain, 479 Dyson, corporal, 143 Eastbourne, 149, 174, 185 East India Company, 322, 393, 394, 396, 419, 428, 435—440, 442 Eaves, Sub-Lieutenant, 132, 168 Ed^'ar, wreck of, 422, 435 Edmonds, corporal, iltiO — 371 Edrington, private, 300, 3(i| Egypt, 132, 1 3,1— 138, 102 Elba, 94 Ellis, Mr. fii'orgc, 329 Elphinstone, Captain, 165 Knunelt, Captain, 223 ; Major, 242 Engini'cr enlnblislinicnt in Franco and Netherlands, 2:iG, 2:i9 Enlistment into coips, opposition to, 7il Entwistle, sergeant, 379 Epidemics, 109, 146, 19U, 255,279,426 Eipiilateral |ioiitoons, 416 Erie, fort, 2'-'2 Esia, bridge, 201 Esseipiibo, 143 E.stcourt, Colonel, 415, 449, 453 Establishment forUeld instructioii,Chatliain, 188 Euphrates expedition, 297 — 301 Evans, Thoniiui, corporal, 204 , James, draughtsman, 50 Evatt, Lieutenant, 93, 104; Captain, 154, 157; Colonel, 177 Evelegh, Lieutenant, 4, 6 ; ('aptain, 44 ; Colonel, 99, 132 Kvelin, John, corporal, 1 1 1 Exniouth, Lord, 19 Exploration survey for a railway in America, 465 — 469 Eyre, Lieutenant, 217 KAiniiAiuN, John, private, 86 Falconer, .Sub-Lieutenant, 185 Falkland islands, 388—391, 412—41.5, 434, 446 Falmouth, 121 Faris, Lieutenant, 232 Faro, 222, 228 Farrin^ton, Colonel, R.A., 112 Featlicrstone, Joseph, private, 107 Featherstonhaugh, Mr., 347, 356, 378 Fenwick, Captnin, 132 , Robert, Captain, 426 Fevers, 82, 93, 103, 109, 118, 127, 146, 173,25.5,256,279,367,426 Feversham, 258 Fez, 7 Finch, Thomas sergeant, 20 Fires, 37, 246, 392 INDFX, 489 KUhcr, Ueiijiiiiiiii, coiikuiiI, 299, :!00, .101 , I.ii'UtcMnnt-Colonel, l.'!2 Fitzgcrulil, liinuteimiit-ColoncI, 275 Kitzlii'ilii'i't, Mi-s., 85 Klnndcrs, H.l, 85, 88, 94, 117 Klniinngnii, .Iiiliii, ])iivnti', 204 Kleniinp, Willinni, piiviite, 02 Kjetih.T, Lieuteiiniit, 91, lo2, 128; ("ap- taiii, 157, Ki.lj I.icuteiiniiM'oloiipl, Ii)9 Kliishiiig, 171 KuibiM, Jo.wiili, »ei'j;oiiiit-miijcir, 171 , .lames, corporal, 27H, 279; sei'gennt- inaj"!-, 29(1, 297, 41(i— 419 , Thomas, rorporal, 451 Ford, Lioiitcnniit, lo7j Captain, 1.T7, 157 , ClmilcH, corporal, 204 Foicnien of works, 291 Forrost, Williani, corporal, 478 Fortifleatloiis, Duke of liicliinond's plan for till", 55-57 Fortune, sergeant-major, 117 Frame, William, private, 4:i8 France, 237—242, 24;i, 245 - 247, 249— 252 Francia, Antonio, ccjrporal, 21 , Fmncis, consul nt San Hoque, 21 Frascr, .lohn, 21 , I'eter, corporal, 5 , (pmrtermaKter-serpeant, .379 , Samuel, private, 185 Frederic fort, Holland, 217 French, Henry, Mr., 294 Fjcrs, Williani, Colonel, 132 , T., Captain, 157; Colonel, 171, 288 Galloway, quartermaster, 210, 296 Garrison duty, corps excused from, 41 , 68 Garnliam, Alfred, 448, 440 Ged^les, Hugh, 483 Genoa, 222, 227 Gibb, Sub-Lieutenant, 191, 196, 222, 242, 255 , C. J., Lieutenant, 384— ;188 Gibraltar, 1—9, 1.30, 132, 138, 146, 154 157, 184, 199, 242, 248, 254, 258, 279, 291, 292, 4o3, 427, 435, 446, 470 , .siege of, 10—28 ; galleries, 14—10, 25, 29—32; St. George's Hall, 16: King's Bastion, 7, 9 ; model of, 9 ; Orange Bastion, 25 ; anniversary of siege, 42 ; privileges of corps at, 50 ; cave under signal-house at, 61 ; wish of tlie Jews at, 71 ; companies at, incor- porated with the corps, 100; naval tank at, 123, Sec also "Gibraltar" (ii'lens, corporal, 298 ' (iirvan,,Min, private, 393,.308,419— 421, I 423, 4:19 (ilaciero Ita.stion, (jncliec, 275 Oleig, the Itev. 0, It., opinion of corps, 383 Gli'iile, Lieutenant, 57, 63 ^'er, private, 104 Hamilton, Uougal, private, 104 , Lieut«nant, 99 Hanover, 152 400 INDKX. '::M'clinf>, (). J,, l.iciitcnnni, lU'J; <'n|ilitiii, 177,'.>:;t) llnnlin^, Sir Ilnnry, iHt, 'JSi! Ilniv, .lo9c|ili, tur^ri'mit, '.'77 lliirni'tt, cnr|M)riil, 4M'l IUr|H>r, ('H|it'iiii, 'i^>S Ilnri'cnclcn, 'I'linmiu, 21 Iliiiriii, .luDi pli, Kcrgeiint, 284 , Dnviil. ■ le divor, ;i5l), 'M\, 'MW, ;i5H— ;i()i, ..:)— ;t77, au;i, aou, 419, 421, 4;t4, 440, 441 , .loliii A., privnio, 442 Ilnrrisnii, .lolin, ciipDinl, 21 Hurry, Willlnin, private, 192 Hnwl«iiis, CImrlcs, corporal, 444 Uriv, I.ii'Utoiiaiit, 21 ; (,'nplaiii, 102 ; Colniicl, 12:i , corporal, 211 , I.oril .(oliii, :i.14 Haytcr, Cai)tniii, 157 , I.ientetmiit, 2"i2 Ilcartidpii, sorgpant, ;i57, .'188, .190, 3'Jl, 413,414,434,446 Hoarls o' piiw-clny, 69 Htgnrty, James, 3(!0, 361 Hemming, sergeant, 362, 431, 433 Hemlci-son, Captain, 207, 291, 293, 301, 308, 323, 362, 431 , E. V. \V., Lieutenant, 465 Herkes, Jolin, private, 283 Hewitt, .'an.es, E. I. C. Sapjwrs, 304, 396 Hibling, corporal, 426 Hiclis, James, private, 204 Hill, Lord, 289, 292, 308 Hilton, James, quartermaster, 152, 234, 445, 296 Hoblw, I.ieutenaut, 169, 175; Captain, 175 Hoey, sergeant-major, 90, 132 Hogan, Pati-ick »., 445, 476 Holland, 83, 85, 88, 94, 123, 216—222, 228—231 , Charles, 445, 476 Ho.'loway, Captain, 77, 95, 112, 117, 180, 192 ; Major, 121, 128, 132 ; Sir Charles, 143, 157 , Colonel, 254 Hong Kong, see " China " Hopkins, John, corporal, 293, 343 ; clerk of works, 295 Horn, (jeorgc, 94, 95 ' Horses in France, &c., care of by the sap- pers, 239 lliiwatsou, private, 38" Howill, Thomas, private, 86 How.iith, '"aptain, 444, 458 Hndw.u's Kay, 460 -464 Hughes, Tlmmas, private, 177 HiunlVey, Captain, 132, 157 Hunter, lloliert, M'rgeanI, 227 Hnrrieaiie at Ilarbadnes, 283 Hurst Castle, 96, 167 Hutihinson, Lieutenant «i. R., 362, 372, 392, 415, 419 , cor]ioral ltol)ert, 117 Hutlfln, William, cor])nral. 111 Hythe, 164, 177, 18,5, 327 Inci;, Ilcnrv, sergeant, 5 ; sergeant-major, 14— 16, "18, 25, 30—32 Inglis, John, private, 147 Inspections, 221, 249, 25.5, 256, 274, 289, 292, 308, 324, 34.'t, 368, 428, 435, 442, 446, 470 Ionian Isbinds, 171, 185 Ireland, Joseph, private, .'t59, 360 Iriin, 205 Irvine, Alexander, private, 457 Ischia, 171 Isle of Wight, 167, 177 Italy, 216, 2'22, 227 Itznssu, bridge over the iNivc at, 211 Jackson, Thomas, sergeant, 19, 26 Jaffa, rJ8, 132, 133 Jago, .lames, private, 373, 393, 396 , William, 295 James, Thomas, corporal, 247 Jamieson, Alexander, corporal, 207 Jebb, Captain, 283, 309 Jenkin, Lieutenant, 426 Jersey, 65, 73, 132, 149, 157, 181 Jorvois, Lieutenant, 484 Jesse, Lieutenant, 483 Jews' wish, 71 Johnson, Lieutenant, 13, 21; Captain, 95 , John, Ensign, 85 , .Sub-Lieutenant, 202, 226, 231, 235, 241 Johnston, Colonel, 157, 175, 248 Jones, Hany I>., Lieutenant, 181, 194 j Captain, 2o5, 226, 240, 246, 247 , Jenkin, sergeant-major, 152, 266, 325—327, 348—3,53, .•j'72, 399, 416 — , Rice, Captain, 189; Brigade-Major, 210;Licuteni t-Colonel, 282 INDFA'. 401 l(in<>», Kicliniil I'., :ir.9, .')7:i— a77, :io:i— ;iU8, 41!l--t'.'.1, 4;it!— 4;i9 , Sir .loliii Thorann, 101, ITil, '.iM Junk-! iiiglil, 4'2 Kakkik wnr, 2.-.4, 29.1, 4:4-4,59, 484 Kc'iiiio, I.iontoiiaiit the Hon. II. 1'"., 4(i0 Ki'nniiiio, Vist'oiint, '-.'itj Ki'iinott, Ciptiiiii, I.IIJ Kent, Diiko o(, :!2, 4.', 104, 1.18 KciT, .Limes, cnriioriil, 91 , .Niniaii, eorponil, 127 Kcistimnn, IJontcimnt, .Mi Keville, Eclwaid, CDipornl, 407 Kiiiiiainl, Huj;li, oorpural, 117 Knapp, Siib-I.iciitciinnt, 2M1 Koelik-r, HiigadioMicncml, 121, 128 I.AnounF.ris, 43, 0(>, lOi! I.n Caillc's arc of the meridinn, 302, 431 — 4:i.J !,acy, Captain, 122, 128, 1.14 Landmann, Captain, l.JT, 1Ij5 Lanyon, Hufrli, 300, 31(i, 4iJ2, 42.-. Laredo, fort of, 211 Lawford, .Iainc8, private, 148 I.awson, Lieutenant, 91 , Andrew, 2.59 Lefancfc, Cai,*aiii, 4 Lefebure, Lieutenant, 107, 108 J Captain, 152, 1,54; Major, 170 Leghorn, 222 Lettn, Thomas, private, 172 Levick, sergeant, 117 Lewis, G. Ci., Captain, 201; Colonel, 484 Lewisham, 171 Lcwsey, private, 122, 134 Liddle, William, private, 18 Lindsay, Andrew, private, 94 , (leorge, sergeant, 421, 435, 440 Lisle, Peter, alius Mourad Keis, 19 Lonias, Kdward, private, 220 Lon.lon, Towei of, 77 Logan, Henry, corporal, 204 Lonergan, corporal, 452 Longitu<|ps, 257, 424 Longh Foyle Uase, 271 Low (lountries. See " Holland." Lucca, 222 Lushington, Lieutenant, 110 — 321 Luttrell, Captain, 13, 28 .Macaulkv, Captain, 278 .Maclean, M.ijnr-li, Lieutenant, 180; Captain, 27G Melville, Ninian, sergeant, 213 Mercer, Colonel, 73; Major-Gcneral, 112, 132 , Cavalio, Captain, 255 Mercury, biig, wreck of tlie, 40 Messina, 152, 102, 170,222 Meyers, Joseph, 358 Michael, Grand Duke, 428 Milan, 228 Milburn, Thomas, sergeant, 218 Millar, John, private, 172 , Jonathan, private, 204 , Sub-Lieutenant, 215, 210 Miller, sergeant, 190 , Robert, corporal, 192 Militia-men, 151 Milnian, Samuel, private, 127 Milne, Alexander, private, 250 , Peter, private, 204 Minorca, 119, 132 Missouri, steamer, burning of, 427 Mitchell, George, private, 145 ; sergeant, 109 , Henry, corporal, 320 Mo('els, 9, 35-38, 254 Moffatt, William, private, 370 Moggeridge, Lieutenant, 442 Moir, James, sergeant. 111 Moncrief, Colonel, 05, 73, 78, 83, 86 Montebello, Marquis Di, daughter of, (58 Montgomery, Walter, 47 MontmailiL-, domiciliary visit to, 240 Monument to Wolfe, 272 Moody, (iovernor, 388— ?9], 412—415, 434, 446 , H. C. B., Captain, 461, 463 Moore, John, corporal, 304 Morocco, Sultan of, 7 Morris, James, private, 204 , John, sergeant, 93 Morrison, John, corporal, 21 Morse, Colonel, 65, 73 Moi-shead, Captain, 104 Mortality, 82, 93, 103, 109, H8, 119, 127, 133, 140, 173, 199, 255, 256, 279, 292, 307, 420 Morton, David, private, 94 Motto of corps, 292 Mudge, Colonel, 347 Muir, Andrew, corporal, 284 Jhilcastcr, F. (',., Colonel, 65, 73 , F. W., Lieutenant, 105; Sir Fre- derick, 292 Mulligan, sergeant, 448, 454 Munro, Hugh, 295 , James, private, 219 , Sub-Lieutenant, 185 Muiphy, John, jirivate, 442 ', Lieutenant, 298 Mustard, Koberf, private, 311, 313, 314, 319, 320, 328 Mutinies, 110, 112, 114, 138 Mutiny Act, corps tirst included in the, 61 Myere, Samuel, private, 87 NANCAnnow, John, private, 119 Napier, James, private, 201 Naples, 152, 171, 227 Natal, 384—388 Ncedham, Samuel, private, 213 Negroes, enlistment of, 110 Neiwan, Captain, 87 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, 132 Netherlands, See " Holland." , engineer establishment in the, 236, 237, 239 New Brunswick, 185 Newell, liobert, corporal, 20 Newfoundland, 103, 100, 174, 184 New Holland, 310—321, 328-340 Newman, George, corporal, 407 New Orleans, 223 New Zealand, 480 Niblocli, corporal, 204 Nicolay, Sir William, 293 Nicolls, Captain, 224 Nieuport, 80 Niger expedition, 368, 371, 403 Nivc, 206, 207 INDEX. 49:5 Nivelle, 206 Northfleet, 114, 177 North I'olc expedition, 481 — 483 Nova Scotia. .'oral, 192 Ross, Lieutenant, 85; Ciptain, 163, 178 , John, sergeant, 326 , Sub-Lieutenant, 231 Round Down cliiTat Dover, 415 Rowley, Lieutenant, 98; Major, 161. Royal Knginecrs to command the corps, 3, 65 George, 348—353, 358—362, 372— 378, 392—399, 419—424, 435—440 Military Artificers, formation of, 58 —63, 04 staff corps, 124, 327 Rutherford, Lieutenant, 255 St. Domingo, 101, 103, 110, 119 — Helena, 242, 254, 257 — Julian, 180 — Lucia, 92, 102, 142, 248, 255 — Marcou, 104, 133 Salamanca, 194 Sanders, C. K., Lieutenant, 232 , Sub-Lieutenant, 221, 231 Sandham, Captain, 309, 348, 371 Sandhurst, 279, 309, 343, 357, 379 San Sebastian, 202—205, 303 Santa Maura, 177 Santona, 210 Sai>pers recognized as poiitonccrs, 231 Sapping and mining, insrructions in, 187 Sargent, William, 295 Savage, Captain, 272 ; Colonel, 463 Savona, 222 Scoble, James, private, 250 Schools, 221, 245 Scrafield, Henry, corporal, 223 Scylla castle, 154 Second-corporals introduced, 158 Seine, bridges over the, 238 Serrada bridge, 194 Servants, 173 Sevenoaks, 121 Seville, 195 Shambrook, Charles, private, 284 Sharp, Adam, private, 28 Shecrness, 261, 444 Shepherd, Robert, 28 , George, sergeant, 442 Sheridan, Mr., 58—59, 63 Sherriff, sergeant, 46 Shetland islands, 483 Shipley, Major, 107; Colonel, 132, 142, 144; Brigadier-General, 169 Shipwrecks, 46, 70, 209, 269, 288, 299 Shirres, sergeant-major, 35, 120, 132, 139 Shornmead, 96 Shorter, quartermaster-sergeant, 201 Shot and shell boys, 33—30 Sicily, 154, 162, 107, 185 SieiTa Leone, 207 Sim, sergeant, 274, 297, 208 Simpson, William, private, 91 Sinclair, David, private, 108 , Sir John, 189 Sirrige, Hugh, corporal, 20 Sirrell, Thomas, corporal, 270 Skellon, John, private, 351 — 353; cor- Ijoral, 359, 373, 375—377, 440 Skene, Lieutenant, 250 Skinner, Ensign, 6; Lieutenant, 13, 50 Lieutenant-colonel, 157 , W. C, Captain, 50 'Slieve-snacht, 268 Smart, Lieutenant, 50 , John, private, 94 Suivfy, 293, INDEX. 405 379 s, 2M s ill, 187 463 84 , 132, 142, ) 288, 299 20, 132, 139 t, 261 —353 ; cor- 440 int, 13, 50 Smith, Alexander, private, 269 , Captain C. F., 181 ; Sir Cliailes I'"., •-'44, 3G3 , Captain J. C, 153 , Captain W. U., 222, 255, 256 , Kilwaid, sergeant, 86 , FrcJvriclc, Mr., 328, 331, 335, 339 , Hii<;h, cor])oral, 365, 479 , James, sergeant, 19 , James, sergeant-major, 132 , James, private, 479 , John, sergeant-major, 171 , John, coi-poral, 260 ; sergeant, 276, 277 , Joseph, sergeant, 445 , Sir Freileric, 44 1 , Thomas, private, 398, 415 ■myth, J. C, Captain, 166; Colonel, 234 235, 236 ; Sir James, 24.1, 248, 249, 274 U , Captain R. N., 19 Southampton, 94, 391, 411, 470,476 Spain, 302,306—308, 321—323, 341, 354 .Spalding, Kohert, 407 Sparks, Sub-Lieutenant, 231 Spence, sergeant-major, 68, 132 .Spencer, B. Keen, corporal, 425 Spike island, 143, 157, 184, 248 Spiy, Colonel, 65, 73 , William, 294, 304 .'iquiie. Captain, 162, 166, 171, 178 Stack, William, corporal, 192 Stjift' corps. See " Hoyal Staff Corps " .Sttnway, I-ieiitenant, 178, 102; Captain, 205; Major, 281, 283 Stapleton, Lieutenant, 60th rides, 32 State, assistance to the, 1 1 7 Stephens, Thomas, corporal, 173; sergeant, 213 Stephenson, Sub-Lieutenant, 199 Stephens, Sub-Lieutenant, 218, 241 Stewart, Alenander, private, 94 , Lieutenant, 103 Sticklen, priv.ite, E. I. Co., 438 Stokes, Lieutenant, 455, 457, 484 Stoiie, John, private, 181 Stiatton, Sub-Lieutenant, 202, 206, 207, 213, 216, 231, '237 Stieatl'eild, Cajitain, 259 Sub-Lieutenants, 158, 160, 185, 228, 247 Sullivan, private, K. I. Co., 442 Surinam, 119, 144 Survey, 264—265, 26ri— 266, 273, '.'9', 293, 301, 30H, 323, 342, 343, 344— 348, 355, 362, 403—411, 41.5, 44:., 447, 465—469, 476, 480 Sutherland, Captain, 83 Syinon, Cha'les, private, 359 Symonds, Lioulenant, 349, 350, 353, 358, 361, 364, 365 Syria, 303—368 Tadii, coriwral, 28 Talavera, 170 Tarifa, 177, 181 Tarragona, 181, 193, 196 Tay steamer at Bermuda, 440 Taylor, Hiigli, sergeant, 103 , Thomas, private. 128 Teair, Stephen, private, 204 Thackeray, ilajor, 196 Thomas, Ceorge, private, 169 , Lady, 338 Tholen, 217 Thompson, Alexander, Captain, 238 , James, 272 , \V., Corjioial, 393, 398 Thomson, Daniel, 47 , K., Lieutenant, 169; Captain, 216, 221 Tibbs, Kichard, private, 386, 387 Tides, observation of the, 391 Tilbury Fort, 96, 1 14 " Times, The," testimony to the corps of, 481 Tobago, 143, 255 Torres Vedras, 175, 178 Toio, 201 ; bridge of, 201 Torrince, Hobert, private, 92 Tournai, 222 Toulon, 86, 93 Toulouse, 213 Tower of London, 77, 283—285 Townshend, Lieutenant and Adjutant, 275 Transfers from the Line, 151 to the Artillery, 105 Ti-evail, Philip, private, 421, 438 Trevethick, William, private, 82 Trinidad, 107, 255 Tucker, Captain, 445 Turkey, 121—123, 128, 133—138,303 Turner, Samuel, private, 379, 414 , Sub-Lieutenant, 19,5, 196,201, 202, 204,231, 232 Tuscany, 222 Twiss, Major-tieueral, 149 Tyldeii, Major, 236, 244 INDEX. itstaiiitz, 206 Valenciennes, 83, 243, 246 Valentia, longitude of, 424 Vance, John, private, 457 Vera, 206 Vetch, Captain, 460 Vicars, Lieutenant, 265, 302, 306, 307, 322, 323, 354 Victor, Captain, 272, 286 Victoria, Her Majesty the Queen, 470 Vimiera, 166 Vincent, George, corporal, 476 Vittoria, 201 Vivian, Sir Husacy, 294, 308 Waddell, David, private, 122, 134 Wagg, Thomas, private, 92 Waltehain, Robert, sergeant. 111 Walcheren, 171 Wall, John, 481 Wallace, John, private, 141 , Siib-Ueut*'nant, 101, 193, 196, 200, 202, 213,216, 242 Walpole, Captain, 484 Walsh, Peter, private, 204 Ward, Captain, 91st regiment, 458 War of the Revolution, 81 Warren, John, private, 257 Washington, 233 Waterdown camp, 84 Waterproof comimsition, 349 Waterloo, 232—236 Watson, Edward, sergeant, 117, 121, 123, 128, 132, 135 , John, 77 Watts, corporal, 413 Webb, Lieutenant, 403 ; Captain, 483 Webster, Anthony, private, 171 Weir, James, private, 148 Welbank, Captain, 399 Wells, Captain, 210 , corporal. 111 West, Edward, private, 473 Indies. See different stations , companies formed for service in, 88 West, John, sergeant, 404 , Lieutenant, 206 Westo, John, private, 119 Whittaker, !-'amncl, private,28 White, James, corporal, 267 , Captain, royal staff corps, 278 Whitmore, Ciiptain, 149; Lieutenant- Colonel, 256 , fioorgc, Lieutenant, 260 Wild, Tliomas, i)rivate, 172 Wilson, John, private, 86 , Sir Robert, 427, 435, 446, 470 — , William, corporal, 175 " Williams" brig, 325 , John, Lieutenant, 285 , John, private, 373, 378, 393, 397 , M., Captain, 348, 349 Williamson, Alexander, private, 94 Winchelsea, 480 Windham's Act, 156 Windsor, 445, 459 , George, private, 472 Winter, George, private, 107 Wolfe, monument to, 272 Women, proportion permitted to embark with their husbands, 45 Wood, John, 294, 442 Woodhcad, sergeant, 20, 123 Woolwich, 65, 73, 99, 112, 114, 132, 149, 157, 184, 248, 254, 291, 292 Wright, P., Lieutenant, 178, 193, 201 Wynne, Captain, 471 Yarmouth, 96 Yates, private, 415 Yecla bridge, 194 Yczced Mulai, Sultan of Morocco, 6 Yolland, Onptain, 476 Yorke, Lieutenant, 392 Young, David, sergcan*, 5, 1 , James, scrgeaut, 326, 385—388 , John, corporal, 117 , sergeant, 276 , William, quartermaster, 266 Yprcs, 228, 230 Yule, Captain, 325 Yusuf Sidi, Bashaw of Tripoli, 19 Zamoro, 201 Zante, 171 Zetland, 483 END OF VOL. I. I«NIX>N : PlllSTF.n BY WIIXIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMroHD STIIEBT. "l ,278 jeutennnt- 16, 470 393, 397 1,94 i to embark 14, 132, 149, 192 193, 201 occo, C 385—388 !!•, 266 jli, 19 'T